Djed Spence: Tottenham boss Roberto de Zerbi tells England defender to stay at club

Captain Cristian Romero is among those likely to leave the club.

Romero was criticised for his decision to fly back to Argentina while injured before the final game of the season – a match for which he did ultimately return.

De Zerbi said it was wrong to criticise Romero for his initial decision, saying he had shown “unbelievable behaviour” during the Italian’s time at the club, but accepted it was “his will” to leave.

“At the beginning of my time in April I had, I don’t know, one million individual meetings. And the players told me if they are (staying) here (or not),” he said.

“I said: ‘Yes, help me to stay up, and then I help you to leave. If you don’t help me to stay up, you stay underwater with me.'”

Italian goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario is also expected to depart after losing his place to Antonin Kinsky.

Earlier this month, Spurs broke their transfer record twice in two days, first signing midfielder Mateus Fernandes from West Ham for £85m before bringing in Sandro Tonali from Newcastle for £100m.

Jan Paul van Hecke has also joined from Brighton in a £52m deal, alongside the free transfers of experienced trio Marcos Senesi, Andrew Robertson and Martin Dubravka.

De Zerbi says his side are targeting another attacking signing alongside their pursuit of Manchester City‘s Savinho.

The Brazilian is among the attacking players in advanced talks over a move to north London, with Spurs also pursuing another unnamed target.

Speaking in Sydney, De Zerbi said: “The transfer market is not finished for sure, but we have completed 60% of our project. Now we have another ‘bomba’.”

Asked whether he was referring to a winger or a striker, the former Brighton and Marseille manager replied: “Attackers.

“I don’t love working with plan A, plan B, plan C. It is plan A, full stop, because all players are not the same.

“We have to increase the number of goals.”

De Zerbi said he had been like a “shark” this summer while pursuing targets.