There’s a lot of nervous excitement at Tottenham Hotspur after the appointment of Roberto De Zerbi.
While their primary focus will be to avoid relegation, the arrival of the Italian could be a sliding doors moment in their history.
De Zerbi’s contract with Tottenham doesn’t include a relegation clause, so, naturally, plans are being put in place to revamp the squad next season.
Midfield is a major area of concern for the Lilywhites, and their current crop could find it difficult to get to grips with their 4-2-3-1 formation.
And now, if reports are to be believed, Tottenham have identified a selfless midfielder who could breathe new life into their engine room.
Gabriel Sara emerges on Tottenham’s radar
Archie Gray is a shoo-in for a spot in midfield, but it goes without saying that most of their other midfielders have the same skillset.
After De Zerbi’s arrival, Tottenham have been linked with a move for Manuel Locatelli, who has been a key player for club and country in recent seasons.
And now, Caught Offside report that the North London outfit have already made contact to sign Galatasaray’s Gabriel Sara.
The 26-year-old midfielder is no stranger to English football, having enjoyed a successful stint with Norwich City before securing a move to Turkey.
Other clubs, including Aston Villa, have also been credited with interest in Sara, who could leave Galatasaray for around £40m this summer.
It’s worth noting that Tottenham were linked with a move for Galatasaray coach Okan Buruk before De Zerbi’s arrival. So maybe, on one of their trips to Istanbul, Sara caught their eye, which could lead to a future transfer.
Sara dubbed a ‘special player’
During his time with Norwich, Sara was a key player for David Wagner, who managed the Canaries between January 2023 and May 2024.
The 26-year-old, who recently made his Brazil debut under Carlo Ancelotti during the international break, was a key player for Wagner at the time.
And the German was full of praise for Sara’s ‘team first’ attitude and tactical acumen, describing him as a ‘very special’ player.
“He works hard. He can easily run between 12 and 13 kilometres and has great vision,” said Wagner via Pinkun.
“He is an outstanding player and a top professional. He always has ‘team first’ in his head, and it is something very special to have a player who is producing these numbers but has this in their head.
“It’s a pleasure to have him in the team. You have seen how hungry and greedy he is to make something special out of this season.”
Sara can play in multiple positions across the midfield and also be used out wide, making him a dream utility option for a coach like De Zerbi.
In a sense, he is cut from the same cloth as Gray, who has done exactly that for Tottenham this season. And god knows the club would have been in a much better position if more players like Gray – or Sara – were part of their squad this season.
It’s still early days in the De Zerbi era, so every transfer report needs to be taken with a pinch of salt. However, Tottenham need to unearth players who are slightly under the radar and the Brazilian might be just that.
