Roberto De Zerbi Wants Jason Steele At Tottenham

Tottenham continue to push on in the transfer market, as The Athletic reports that another possible reunion could be on the cards for manager Roberto De Zerbi and a former player of his.

The head coach has already reunited with Jan Paul van Hecke, after Spurs agreed a £52 million fee to land the defender from Brighton this summer.

The Netherlands international joins the likes of Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson as additions to the backline, with the Lilywhites now well-equipped at the back for next season.

Attention turns elsewhere in the market, as the club push on for deals to sign Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes in the midfield, while interest is there for Savinho and Cody Gakpo.

However, there is also focus being placed on the goalkeeping department, where further changes are expected at Tottenham.

As Tottenham prepare for a shuffle in the goalkeeping ranks, The Athletic reports that the club are interested in Brighton shot-stopper Jason Steele.

The 35-year-old has one-year remaining on his contract at the Amex Stadium, and has been playing as the second-choice option to Bart Verbruggen.

The report claims that Steele is a candidate on a shortlist of potential options to play as a back-up goalkeeper for the coming season, having been outlined as a "good option" for the club moving forward.

During his time at Brighton, De Zerbi made use of the experienced star plenty, handing him 43 appearances across two separate campaigns.

In that time, the glovesman kept 11 clean sheets for the Italian head coach across all competitions, and was widely praised for his ability with the ball at his feet.

Given the fact that Tottenham are facing the possibility of losing Guglielmo Vicario this summer, a move for Steele would help reinforce the options in goal.

That would also provide a mentor for Antonin Kinsky, who could have a chance to stake a claim as the number-one choice between the sticks next season.

Steele has earned plenty of plaudits during his time at Brighton, which included some praise from his former manager, De Zerbi, back in late 2023.

"He’s very important on the pitch and off the pitch," said De Zerbi on Steele's influence.

"I think he deserved a new contract because he’s playing very well. Last season [he] was one of the secrets to reach the target and this season he is playing very well.

"We are playing well, Jason is playing well. I think he knows very well my idea. Verbruggen is not the same level but is very important for us now and the future. We are Brighton and we have to improve our young players. We have to be more focused in some situations."

Roberto De Zerbi wants a big-name midfielder

De Zerbi could now recreate that dynamic with the reunion for Steele, while the club tries to progress with Kinsky as the player for the future.

It remains to be seen whether a deal will get over the line, but it could prove to be a shrewd bit of business from Spurs.