Personal terms agreed: Tottenham in advanced talks to sell player as agent negotiates deal

Tottenham’s Ruthless Rebuild Continues – Souza Could Be Next Out

Tottenham have already pulled off one of the most aggressive summer overhauls in the Premier League, but Roberto De Zerbi insists the job isn’t done yet.

Spurs have splashed £185m on Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali, while adding experience and depth through Jan Paul van Hecke, Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi, and Martin Dubravka. With that level of incoming business, outgoings were always inevitable.

De Zerbi inherited a squad that spent much of last season scrambling near the relegation zone. His response? Raise the standard, sharpen the mentality, and eliminate uncertainty around anyone not fully bought in.

Senior figures like Cristian Romero, Guglielmo Vicario, Djed Spence, and Lucas Bergvall have all faced uncertain futures recently. Vicario now faces stiffer competition following Dubravka’s arrival, and Spence – despite a strong World Cup campaign with England – has been linked with an exit. Bergvall is a different story.

De Zerbi rates the young midfielder highly and wants him to stay, but with Tonali and Fernandes now in the fold, regular starts are far from guaranteed.

That fierce competition explains why Spurs are still open to reshaping the squad – even after such heavy spending – and now Souza has surprisingly emerged as a potential departure too.

The Brazilian left-back arrived from Santos in January as a long-term project, not an immediate starter. At 19, he had 38 senior appearances under his belt and a reputation as an energetic, attack-minded defender with the physical attributes to thrive in England.

He was seen as future cover for Destiny Udogie, and his signing fit Spurs’ strategy of snapping up young talent before their value skyrocketed.

But his first six months in north London offered little chance to build momentum. He made just four first-team appearances, totalling 144 minutes.

His debut – off the bench against Manchester United in February – made him Tottenham’s youngest-ever Brazilian player, but he arrived mid-season, into a struggling side, with limited time to adapt to a faster league, a new country, and shifting tactical demands.

Now, at a pivotal stage in his development, Souza needs regular football – and surprise reports from Brazil suggest he’s closing in on a move away.

According to Globo, Porto have overtaken Benfica in the race and are in advanced talks with Tottenham over a permanent transfer worth around £17m.

The player has reportedly agreed personal terms, and his agent, Giuliano Bertolucci, is in Portugal to push the deal through. Benfica had previously matched that offer, but Porto moved swiftly and are now said to be close to sealing the signing.

Santos also stand to benefit – they retain a 10% sell-on clause from Souza’s move to Spurs, so a £17m transfer would trigger an additional payout for the Brazilian club.

For Tottenham, a sale would free up squad space and deliver a quick profit on a player signed just six months ago.

For Souza, Porto offers a clearer route to first-team football, European exposure, and a chance to rebuild his career momentum before Brazil’s 2030 World Cup planning intensifies.