Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi has issued a direct message to any player unhappy at the club this summer: find a new home. The Italian, who rescued Spurs from Premier League relegation after taking charge in late March, spoke ahead of a pre-season friendly against Auckland FC in New Zealand.

"I was very clear at the start of my time in Tottenham," De Zerbi said. "I said, who doesn't want to stay in Tottenham? Who is not happy, is not proud to stay here, has to leave. I want the players to be proud and happy to stay here, to go on the pitch in Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with big motivation. Because now in football, if you think also in the World Cup, the motivation makes the difference."

Bergvall's future under scrutiny

De Zerbi's comments arrive amid mounting speculation over the future of Swedish midfielder Lucas Bergvall. Tottenham have already rejected a £38 million bid from Nottingham Forest, with Forest understood to be preparing an improved offer of £45 million.

Bergvall, 20, joined Spurs from Swedish club Djurgarden in 2024 and featured only briefly last season under De Zerbi — starting the manager's first match, a 1-0 defeat at Sunderland, before making four substitute appearances.

"I have not spoken with Lucas yet," De Zerbi admitted. "I will in the next days and we will make the best decision for the club, for Lucas, for me, for every one of us, without problems. Lucas is a big, big talent. If he wants to stay, I will be happy. Otherwise, we have to find a new solution."

The manager noted that midfield competition at the club has intensified sharply. Tottenham have brought in Sandro Tonali from Newcastle United for £100 million and Mateus Fernandes from West Ham for £85 million, meaning every position in the squad will see fierce competition for a starting place.

Transfer business not yet done

Alongside those midfield acquisitions, Spurs have also bolstered their defence with the arrivals of Jan Paul van Hecke, Andy Robertson, and Marcos Senesi. De Zerbi confirmed that the club's priority now is to strengthen the attack, and that more signings are on the way.

"I think it's not finished yet, our transfer market window," he said. "We have to bring another couple of, maybe more, but a couple of players."

Injury updates on Kudus and Kulusevski

Wingers Mohammed Kudus and Dejan Kulusevski have not made the trip to New Zealand as they continue to recover from long-term injuries. De Zerbi is optimistic about Kudus's return, saying the player should be available to train with the squad when the team returns to London. Kulusevski, who has been absent for a full season, will be monitored carefully over the coming weeks.

"After one season, one complete season, without a game, we have to analyse better and better, don't take risks — first of all for him and then for us," De Zerbi said.

Simons opens up on agonising ACL recovery

Attacking midfielder Xavi Simons, who suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in April that forced him to miss the FIFA World Cup 2026 with the Netherlands, reflected candidly on the ordeal. "The first four days were the worst days of my life," the Netherlands international said on Tottenham's official website. "I couldn't sleep, I didn't eat for one week. I was in a lot of pain. I was vomiting and felt dizzy — it was everything. That pain, I don't wish no-one to go through that pain." Simons added that he is now in a positive place mentally and physically.