Roberto De Zerbi has dropped a hint that there could be an imminent incoming at Tottenham Hotspur. The Italian was asked about the market and went on to say, “In the transfer market, when I want one player I become like a shark, no chance to say no! The transfer market, it’s not finished for sure, but we completed 60 percent of our project in the transfer market. Now we have another bomba!”. Football London journalist Alasdair Gold, who was in Sydney to get this quote from the Italian, was certain that he was not referring to Savinho. The move for Savinho is rumoured to take at least another few weeks, with Manchester City delaying the deal until they have secured a replacement. However, the transfer for the Brazilian is seen as a matter of time. So with Savinho not thought to be this incoming ‘bomba’, who could it be?
A ‘bomba’ is considered to be a major surprise transfer for a club, a player that will usually come in and improve the starting eleven. Earlier today in a press conference, De Zerbi was asked what he meant by ‘bomba’, and the Italian said, “Bomba in Italian is different from English. You can write what you want. I said we have to compete in the transfer market. We have some other players to complete the squad. (So what is Bomba in Italian?) Tonali, Fernandes, Senesi, Robertson are bomba. Top players for us.” Enforcing the point that it must ideally be a move for a top player. Let’s take a look at some players it could be!
Omar Marmoush (Manchester City – Forward – 27 years old)
Marmoush is a player who is rumoured to have been discussed between Tottenham and Manchester City during talks for Savinho. Tottenham are known to have a longstanding interest in the player since his days at Eintracht Frankfurt, having been linked to him back in the January window when the Egyptian made his move to City. It’s known the North London club want to bring in a striker, with a lack of goals from forward players being a major issue last season. They also are known to be looking at other wingers on top of Savinho. This is where Marmoush would make sense, as he is able to play across the front line, specifically off the left or through the middle.
Endrick (Real Madrid – Forward – 20 years old)
This is a player that Tottenham fans have been getting excited about over the last 24 hours since De Zerbi’s ‘bomba’ warning. Is it realistic though? There have been no concrete links between Endrick and Spurs this summer, but obviously this supposed ‘bomba’ is well under wraps. It is also known that Endrick has the possibility to leave Madrid this summer, especially if Mourinho decides against the Brazilian being a main feature in his Los Blancos side next season. Endrick would definitely fit what Spurs and De Zerbi are looking for in a forward player. He is versatile, can play as a striker, and, similar to Marmoush, can also play wide, but in Endrick’s case this would be off the right.
The Brazilian is also an underrated crosser of the ball, having shown this side to his game while on loan at Lyon last season. He also possesses great link-up play ability in tight areas. Link-up play is a key attribute of a De Zerbi striker, shown in the previous striker profiles he has worked with, such as João Pedro when at Brighton. Certainly a move that could make sense for both parties.
Cody Gakpo (Liverpool – Forward – 27 years old)
Gakpo is one that makes sense in Tottenham’s everlasting search for a goal-scoring left winger since the departure of Heung-min Son. Although it’s fair to say he is not of the same standard as a prime Son, Gakpo does score goals. The Dutchman was criticised last season for his performances in a Liverpool shirt, but he wasn’t the only one underperforming in their failure to defend the Premier League title. Gakpo went on to have a great World Cup individually for the Netherlands, scoring three goals and providing one assist in four games. He is also versatile, with the ability to play as a striker, having previously played there for both PSV and Liverpool. One Spurs fans aren’t seeming to love the possibility of, but it could make sense in De Zerbi’s search for more goals in the forward line.
Mykhaylo Mudryk (Chelsea – Forward – 25 years old)
Now this is a rogue shout. However, there is good reasoning behind it. De Zerbi worked with Mudryk during his time at Shakhtar Donetsk and has given some high praise to the Ukrainian on multiple occasions since. In 2022, when De Zerbi was in charge of Brighton, he referred to Mudryk as a player who “could win the Ballon d’Or in the future”. It is also rumoured that De Zerbi tried to bring Mudryk to Marseille while he was in charge of the French side. On top of this, as of today, Mudryk has been cleared to play again after his doping ban has finally been resolved by the FA. The Chelsea forward last played a game of football for The Blues in November of 2024. Definitely an unlikely move for Tottenham with his long absence from football, but it’s clear De Zerbi thinks highly of the Ukrainian. One to keep an eye on!
