Roberto De Zerbi is hoping to reunite with a forward he previously managed and developed at Marseille by bringing him to Tottenham.
The north London club have been linked with a move for Amine Gouiri, the striker who flourished under De Zerbi’s guidance at the French club. Spurs have enjoyed a highly successful summer transfer window, with their efforts now concentrated on adding more firepower before the deadline.
Savinho’s arrival was announced on Tuesday, with Omar Marmoush anticipated to follow from Manchester City. A potential third attacking acquisition remains possible before the window shuts, with Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo also mentioned, though Gouiri has now emerged as a concrete option according to Corriere dello Sport.
The Italian publication reports that Marseille must generate funds through player sales before the trading period ends, with Gouiri among their standout performers who could command a substantial fee.
Gouiri joined Marseille under De Zerbi in January 2025 and netted 10 times during his initial half-season at the club. During the first portion of that campaign while at Rennes, he had managed just three Ligue 1 goals.
Shortly after arriving at the Stade Velodrome, De Zerbi spoke highly of the Algeria international. He stated that Gouiri is an extremely capable player who must embrace the true number nine position. The coach explained that he had discussed this specialisation with the forward, emphasising the importance of knowing exactly where the goal is at all times and possessing that precise finishing ability. He added that once Gouiri refines these elements, he will become an elite European player because he already holds a crucial role within the team.
Gouiri finished with 11 goals during his first complete season at the club but found the net twice in Marseille’s 4-0 victory over Strasbourg last Friday.
Twenty-four hours afterwards, Tottenham suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat against Brentford, with De Zerbi offering candid observations during his post-match media duties.
The Italian commented that the primary objective and ambition is to develop into a genuine side. He explained that a team cannot be assembled through transfer market activity, new signings, or simply having talented individuals on paper. He stressed that teams are built through players discovering connections with one another, developing shared spirit and soul, describing this as a gradual process.
Tottenham will aim to record their first victory of the campaign this week, beginning with a second-round Carabao Cup tie against Charlton on Wednesday before welcoming Newcastle United to the Premier League on Saturday.