Tottenham reject three bids for youngster as De Zerbi backs him to be a ‘game-changer’

Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi appears determined to keep a youngster in his squad with three offers rejected out of hand.

Souza arrived from Santos in January for around £13 million as a long-term investment.

The Brazilian had played 38 matches for Santos and built a reputation as an aggressive, attack-minded full-back, but his first months in England offered only brief glimpses.

Souza made four Premier League appearances, played 144 minutes and started once, against Liverpool in March, and that limited involvement was understandable.

Tottenham were fighting relegation, changed managers twice after his arrival and had little room to experiment with an inexperienced teenager learning English football.

The situation has changed under De Zerbi.

Spurs survived, rebuilt their squad and added Andy Robertson on a free transfer after his Liverpool contract expired. The Scot brings leadership, elite experience and a proven delivery from wide areas. At 32, however, he is a short-term option rather than the future of Tottenham’s left side.

Destiny Udogie remains the most natural first choice when fit, though his recurring leg injuries have prevented him from building the uninterrupted run Tottenham expected.

Djed Spence provides another solution.

He is naturally right-footed but has repeatedly performed on the left, where his recovery speed and ability to attack space make him useful. That being said, it has been reported that Spence could actually leave Tottenham this summer.

Souza offers something else after the aforementioned trio.

He is a fearless dribbler who wants to receive high up the pitch, commit defenders and accelerate into open grass. His positioning and defensive judgement remain raw, while the speed of Premier League transitions will punish errors more heavily than Brazilian football.

De Zerbi may see those flaws as coachable.

The Italian has previously placed major responsibility on adventurous full-backs and will want Tottenham to improve their build-up, possession and final pass.

REUTERS/Hollie Adams

Tottenham have no European football this season and four senior left-back options competing for a reduced schedule. Domestic cup matches and substitute appearances may provide Souza’s clearest route, unless one of Spence or Udogie depart before deadline day.

A transfer had therefore appeared increasingly possible.

Globo reported that Porto were negotiating a deal worth around £17 million, after agreeing conditions with the player. Benfica had also shown interest.

However, the direction of travel has significantly changed.

De Zerbi backing Souza to be a ‘game-changer’ at Tottenham

Spanish journalist Eduardo Burgos reports that, barring an unexpected late development, Souza is set to remain at Spurs for the season.

Burgos says De Zerbi has been the strongest voice behind keeping the 20-year-old and believes he can change matches from the bench as a ‘game-changer’.

He also claims Porto made two permanent offers and proposed a loan, but none persuaded Tottenham to release him.

That is a powerful show of faith.

A loan could have given Souza regular football, while a permanent sale potentially offered Spurs a quick financial return only seven months after signing him.

Instead, De Zerbi appears to value his quality even more, and the Lilywhites boss’ glowing endorsement hints at the possibility of seeing far more of Souza in his first full season at the club.