De Zerbi to benefit from Neuer situation as Tottenham plot summer overhaul

Robin Bairner

• 4 Apr 2026 05:30 CDT
• 4 min read

News

Roberto De Zerbi may be just getting his feet under the desk at Tottenham Hotspur, but the Italian is already keeping a close eye on the transfer market, with Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer set to shape his plans.

Spurs have endured a season from hell, which sees them currently fighting against Premier League relegation after sacking both Thomas Frank and Igor Tudor in the space of a few weeks.

Should De Zerbi be successful in their battle against the drop – and he has already built a ‘Plan B’ in case they are not – the Italian is plotting a major upgrade in goal, yet this hinges on Neuer.

Neuer decision to unlock Verbruggen deal

Tottenham have no direct interest in Neuer, yet his situation could trigger a domino effect across European football, according to TeamTalk.

The 40-year-old is out of contract with Bayern in the summer, and after an injury-hit season, there is a growing belief in Germany that his time with the Bundesliga giants could be coming to an end. FCB, it is claimed, want to build towards the future, though they are also open to extending Neuer’s deal by another year.

Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen is considered to be Bayern’s No.1 target to replace the former Schalke man, yet the Netherlands star is also De Zerbi’s choice to move to Spurs.

The Seagulls, meanwhile, believe they already have a readymade replacement for the 23-year-old in the form of Carl Rushworth, who is at Championship table-toppers Coventry City on loan.

If Verbruggen moves on, Rushworth is likely to be Brighton’s No.1 next season.

Tottenham’s goalkeeping situation explained

Spurs have struggled in many areas of the pitch this season, but the goalkeeper position has proven to be a particular headache for their various managers.

Guglielmo Vicario’s form has been particularly disappointing, with the Italy international conceding 50 goals in his 31 Premier League appearances.

When Vicario was dropped, Antonin Kinsky made a nightmare debut against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League and was hauled off by Tudor after conceding two cheap goals.

This decision was widely slammed as being potentially career-destroying for the young Czech.

As such, Spurs are chasing new options in goal for the 2026/27 season, with Verbruggen their leading option.

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Their prospects of landing the Dutchman, though, hinge on Neuer’s plans.