Roberto De Zerbi makes a meal of highlighting the ambition of Tottenham’s owners

Roberto De Zerbi has insisted the ambition of Tottenham’s majority owners the Lewis family has made the difference during an eye-catching summer transfer window.

Spurs this week pulled off the double signing of Savio and Omar Marmoush from Manchester City to continue a remarkable period of spending where more than £350million has been committed across eight Premier League-proven signings.

De Zerbi took members of the Lewis family out for dinner on Thursday along with chief executive Vinai Venkatesham and sporting director Johan Lange. The 47-year-old footed the bill of a lavish meal at an Italian restaurant and was happy to talk up the impact of the owners, who have gained greater influence since Daniel Levy departed in September.

“I paid, just so you don’t write about a problem between me and the club for the pre-season in Australia because it’s not true. We went to an Italian restaurant and it went very well,” De Zerbi smiled.

“These players are not here for me or because I need them. I am an employee of the club, I’m not the owner, but the ambition of the owner made the difference, for sure, because the owner pushed to close (deals for) the players.

“The owners’ ambition is so big. Right through transfers, for every one of us, the players, the board, the staff, with myself. The motivation to do better.

“And then we can’t forget we are Tottenham. Tottenham, with their history, stadium and fans, deserves to compete for the top of the table. I don’t know if we’re able (to) from now but the plan is to achieve that level.”

De Zerbi hinted one more player in a specific position could arrive before Tuesday’s 11pm deadline for the summer transfer window, but admitted this is the first time at any club where he has not had to push for signings.

“There is seriously a great relationship with all of them. I’m not pushing,” De Zerbi insisted.

“Really! It’s the first time I didn’t push to complete the squad. I didn’t push. They pushed to buy the top players.

“Johan Lange was brilliant in terms of ideas to make solutions. Also, Vinai, I remember when we closed (Sandro) Tonali and he made a video call to me when I was on holiday and he had a big smile, very happy.”

Spurs’ £100m midfielder Tonali will make a competitive home debut on Saturday against former club Newcastle.

The Italian can expect a hostile reception from the Magpies’ supporters but De Zerbi was unequivocal in his belief the international is worth every penny.

De Zerbi said: “Sandro Tonali’s value is that value because he is one of the most important midfielders in the Premier League.

“He received two big offers for two big teams in the Premier League. It’s not correct to say their clubs but two big clubs fought with us to bring him and he wanted to come here. I heard the fans were very happy for Sandro’s signing.

“He’s a complete midfielder.”

There was also a positive update on Swedish playmaker Dejan Kulusevski, who has not played since the end of the 2024-25 campaign due to a serious knee injury but is “improving day by day”, according to De Zerbi and is set to be included in Tottenham’s Premier League squad.