Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi has revealed how he convinced Mateus Fernandes and Jan Paul van Hecke to join Spurs this summer.
Fernandes cost £85m from West Ham United, while Van Hecke was sold by Brighton & Hove Albion for £52m.
De Zerbi reunited with Van Hecke having worked with him at Brighton, and a message after the last game of the season got the job done.
“With Mateus Fernandes, I spoke with his parents,” the Tottenham boss recently revealed.
“With JP, after the Everton game, I sent him a message: ‘you wanted to push down Tottenham when you made the assist to Georginio Rutter. Now you have to join me – yes or yes, you have no choice.’
“After the game, in my office at Tottenham stadium, I sent a message to my daughter, and then to JP.”
Spurs drew 2-2 with Brighton in De Zerbi’s second game in charge, with a 95th-minute equaliser denying them three points.
Van Hecke’s assist was a huge blow for Tottenham, but a 1-0 victory over Everton on the final day was enough to secure safety.
The Netherlands international will now be looking to help Spurs reach the next level next season after almost relegating them.
De Zerbi has strengthened in midfield and defence and will now look to bolster his attacking ranks in the coming weeks.
Tottenham will focus on winning one of the three domestic trophies this season having missed out on European qualification.
