Alasdair Gold

Tottenham head coach Roberto De Zerbi said he sent Jan Paul van Hecke an angry, profane message after the defender assisted Brighton’s late equaliser against Spurs, joking that Van Hecke had helped push Tottenham toward relegation and therefore had to join the club. De Zerbi described his personal involvement in recruitment, his close working relationship with CEO Vinai Venkatesham and sporting director Johan Lange, and Tottenham’s plans to add several more players after spending £237 million in the transfer window. Van Hecke reportedly joined Spurs for £52 million.