Spurs' De Zerbi: Richarlison, Danso, Sarr want out

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  James OlleyAug 29, 2026, 04:17 PM ET

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  James Olley is a senior soccer writer for ESPN.com. Read his archive here and follow him on Twitter: @JamesOlley.

LONDON -- Tottenham Hotspur head coach Roberto De Zerbi said Richarlison, Kevin Danso and Pape Matar Sarr have all asked to leave the club.

The trio were left out of Saturday's 2-0 home defeat to Newcastle United, although Sarr was also nursing a hamstring issue.

Sources have told ESPN that Juventus are considering a move for Sarr and De Zerbi confirmed all three players will be given the chance to find a new club before Tuesday's transfer deadline.

Brazil striker Richarlison joined Spurs from Everton in 2022 while the club only completed a permanent deal for Austria defender Danso last summer from Lens. Sarr, a Senegal international midfielder, arrived from FC Metz in 2021.

Asked to explain their absence, De Zerbi said: "Richarlison, I don't know. He said too many times he wants to leave. Danso came to me two days ago and he said he wants to leave. Pape Sarr the same but he suffered a small injury but he is almost ready to train.

"I love these players and they are great guys. I have very good relationships. But if they want to leave, they have to bring the economic solution to the club and they can go and we find other players."

De Zerbi urged supporters not to overreact after Spurs lost their first two league games without scoring a goal for the first time since 1974 despite spending around £380 million ($514m) on eight new players so far this summer.

"There is no panic," he said. "I know where we are going and what the plan is. I'm sorry for the fans for the result. We have to improve. We have to work hard on the pitch and find the connection between the players.

I'm sorry for the fans for the environment because after two defeats maybe somebody can think it is the same history, the same as the last two seasons. I have no doubt it is not like this. I can't change my opinion for two defeats.

"I have a big, big confidence in the qualities of my players. At the end, when we become a team, when we improve the connection between the players, when we improve the qualities of the players, the defensive space, the distances between the attackers, defenders and midfielders, when we create a team, this group with me or another coach, nothing change because they are too good [a group of] players.

"I am sorry for the club because they are building a great squad. But maybe now, we are not ready yet for many, many reasons we are not ready yet."