Three Tottenham players seek exit, confirms De Zerbi

Tottenham head coach Roberto de Zerbi confirmed after his side's 2-0 home defeat to Newcastle that three players — Richarlison, Kevin Danso and Pape Matar Sarr — have asked to leave the club. None of them were named in the matchday squad.

Speaking after the game, De Zerbi said Richarlison had repeatedly expressed a wish to leave, while Danso approached him two days earlier with a similar request. Sarr has also asked to leave, though he is currently recovering from a minor injury and is close to returning to training. De Zerbi said he maintains good relationships with the players but that any departure would require the club receiving an acceptable financial offer.

Difficult start to the season

Tottenham have spent more than £300m on transfers this summer in an attempt to rebuild competitiveness after two consecutive 17th-place Premier League finishes. Despite the outlay, the club sits bottom of the table after losing their opening two fixtures, against Brentford and Newcastle, without scoring a goal.

Richarlison was Tottenham's top scorer last season with 11 goals and played a leading role in the club's survival battle, which was only secured on the final day. Earlier in August, De Zerbi acknowledged the Brazilian was unsure about his future, saying a replacement of similar quality would be hard to find. Last week, Manchester City forward Omar Marmoush joined on loan and started in Richarlison's place against Newcastle.

Danso's playing time could be limited this season following the arrivals of Marcos Senesi and Jan Paul van Hecke, who will compete for a central defensive role, while Micky van de Ven's position was cemented with a new contract and the captaincy. Sunderland's loan offer for Danso was turned down by Spurs. Sarr, meanwhile, has seen his opportunities reduced following the signings of Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali, part of a summer in which Tottenham broke their transfer record twice within a single week.