Roberto De Zerbi hands Tottenham star huge ultimatum as Premier League rivals circle

Roberto De Zerbi has handed one Tottenham player an ultimatum after their clash against Sydney FC on Wednesday.

Spurs are now deep into their pre-season preparations for the 2026/27 Premier League campaign.

Following victories over MK Dons and Auckland, De Zerbi's men continued their Australia tour with a 1-1 draw against Sydney FC.

Mathys Tel scored the only goal of the game for Spurs before they prevailed 4-2 on penalties ahead of their eye-catching showdown with Chelsea on August 1.

It's been a huge summer so far at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, having armed De Zerbi with a war chest of funds to assemble a squad that should be challenging for Europe after consecutive 17th-place finishes.

Tottenham have spent an eye-watering £237million on new signings, notably breaking their transfer record twice with deals for Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali, as well as capturing Jan Paul van Hecke, Marcos Senesi, Martin Dubravka and Andy Robertson.

Spurs are expected to continue being active in the window, too, with Savinho handing in a transfer request at Manchester City as he aims to force through a move to north London.

But while incomings have dominated the headlines at Tottenham, several players have exited the club, and more could follow, including talented youngster Lucas Bergvall.

The 20-year-old made it clear that he wanted to leave the club in June, and according to reports, Spurs have rejected offers from Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest for the midfielder.

Bergvall, who made four appearances for Sweden at the World Cup, only started 11 times in the Premier League last term and wants to play regular first-team football.

De Zerbi cannot promise the precocious talent a starting place in his engine room, especially with the breadth of options at his disposal, none more so than new signings Fernandes and Tonali.

Roberto De Zerbi won't stand in the way of Lucas Bergvall leaving

Bergvall started alongside Archie Gray in Tottenham's draw against Sydney on Wednesday, but his selection isn't an indicator of what is to come.

The Swede has been pushed firmly down the pecking order this summer, reinforced by De Zerbi's comments after the match.

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Although the Italian wants him to stay, he cannot promise him a starting place and won't stand in his way if he chooses to leave.

"I'm always being very clear with him and with you. I would like that he stays with us," De Zerbi said.

"I think he's potentially a top, top, top player. But then I don't want to convince anyone to stay. Tottenham is already, without me, a top club and we are not to convince anyone to stay.

"He can find the space if he stays with us. The competition within the players will be very strong because we are Tottenham and we have to build a strong squad - not just 11 players - especially considering a lot of injuries we suffered in the last two, three seasons."

De Zerbi risks Bergvall's development stagnating if he stays, and therefore, with his heart set on playing regular first-team football, it's likely he could depart this summer.

It is widely reported that a £60m offer could prise him away, a steep asking price for someone with just 50 Premier League appearances under his belt.