The Italian manager, who signed a five-year deal after keeping Spurs in the Premier League on the final day of the season, has identified midfielder Carlos Baleba, centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke and goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen as his three priority targets, according to The Independent. All three played under De Zerbi during his two seasons at Falmer Stadium.
He sees them as "his players" — players who have already internalised his pressing-heavy, build-from-the-back system and could implement it at Tottenham without the time normally required to embed a new philosophy.
The combined cost of the three would be substantial. Brighton's asking prices are understood to total more than £200 million. Baleba alone is valued at over £100 million, with Manchester United also competing for the Cameroon international. Van Hecke has one year remaining on his contract and is widely expected to leave this summer, with Newcastle United and Liverpool both admirers.
Verbruggen, 23, is one of the best young goalkeepers in the Premier League and will be the Netherlands' first choice at the World Cup.
There is an internal acceptance at the club that signing all three in one window is extremely unlikely. That is why alternative options are being tracked simultaneously. Andy Robertson arrives on a free transfer from Liverpool and Marcos Senesi from Bournemouth — also out of contract — are both understood to be agreed. Manchester City's John Stones has also emerged as a target, with Tottenham drawn to his experience and leadership after two seasons in the top-four fight.
James Trafford is being considered as a goalkeeping option if the Verbruggen pursuit fails. Trafford has been pushing internally at City for more regular playing time.
De Zerbi's advantage in the Brighton pursuits is obvious: he knows these players, and they know him. Brighton's head coach Fabian Hürzeler has said publicly he "100 per cent" wants Baleba to stay, but the Seagulls have consistently sold their best players when the price is right. The right price has never been more clearly available.
Spurs will not play European football next season. Their pitch to players will rest entirely on De Zerbi's track record and the project he is building — a rebuild story at one of the country's most storied clubs.