adminTottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi is expected to oversee a major squad rebuild this summer, no matter which division Spurs are playing in next season.
The North London side boosted their survival hopes with a crucial 2-1 victory over Aston Villa last weekend, lifting themselves out of the relegation zone. However, Tottenham still have important work to do in their final three Premier League matches to guarantee safety.
Should Spurs successfully avoid relegation, the club already appear to have plans in place to strengthen the squad, with free-transfer moves for Liverpool defender Andy Robertson and Bournemouth centre-back Marcos Senesi reportedly lined up.
While De Zerbi has managed to improve Tottenham’s midfield performances during his short spell in charge, the Italian is still expected to reshape several areas of the squad ahead of the 2026/27 campaign as he aims to push the club much higher up the table.
Despite dealing with injuries throughout the season, Spurs have generally been well-stocked in midfield. However, uncertainty remains over the futures of multiple players currently at the club.
Joao Palhinha joined on loan and there is still no certainty over whether Tottenham will make his stay permanent, although reports suggest the Portuguese midfielder is keen to remain even if Spurs are relegated.
Meanwhile, Yves Bissouma is set to leave when his contract expires this summer, while Pape Matar Sarr could also move on in search of a new challenge.
As a result, Tottenham may enter the transfer market for another central midfielder, with Parma star Mandela Keita emerging as a possible target.
The Belgian midfielder has become one of Parma’s key players over the last two seasons in Serie A. Keita has been remarkably consistent this campaign, missing just one league match through injury while starting 33 of the club’s other 34 games.
The 23-year-old has previously spoken about the players who inspire his style of play, naming former Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante and Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong as his biggest influences.
Speaking after joining Parma, Keita explained: “If I think about football today, I would mention two players in particular: N’Golo Kante and Frenkie de Jong. I don’t want to copy them completely, but I’d like to take certain qualities from each of them to improve my own game and reach the highest level possible.”
Reports claim Tottenham have been monitoring Keita throughout the season, although they are facing competition for his signature from Aston Villa and Atalanta.
Parma signed the midfielder for around €15 million in 2024, but after his impressive performances during the 2025/26 campaign, the Italian side are expected to demand a significantly higher fee to sell him this summer.
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