Roberto De Zerbi has said players who are not “happy” or “proud” to play for Tottenham Hotspur “have to leave”.Tottenham rejected a £46million bid for Lucas Bergvall from Newcastle United earlier this month, and have rebuffed interest from Nottingham Forest after Bergvall informed Spurs of his preference to move on this summer.The 20-year-old was included in De Zerbi’s 35-man squad for the pre-season tour of Auckland and Sydney but on Saturday De Zerbi said he has not yet had a conversation with Bergvall about his future, with plans to do so in “the next days”.“Listen, I was very clear at the start of my time in Tottenham,” De Zerbi said ahead of Tottenham’s opening match here in New Zealand against Auckland FC (Saturday 11pm ET, Sunday 4am BST). “I said, ‘Who doesn’t want to stay in Tottenham, who is not happy, is not proud to stay here, has to leave’.“I want proud players who are happy to stay here and to go on the pitch at Tottenham (Hotspur) Stadium with a big motivation. If you think also in the World Cup, the motivation makes the difference. The motivation is to be happy to stay in one team.”Bergvall struggled for consistent game time at Tottenham last season and was used in several positions across the midfield and on the wing, as opposed to his preferred role as a No 8, which does not appear to be a stylistic fit within De Zerbi’s commonly used 4-2-3-1 formation.He was a key part of Graham Potter’s Sweden team at the World Cup, making four appearances as they were knocked out of the tournament by eventual semi-finalists France in the last 32. Bergvall signed from Swedish club Djurgardens in 2024 for £8.5m, after the north London club beat suitors including Barcelona to his signature.“I have not spoken with Lucas yet, I will in the next days,” said De Zerbi, “and we will make the best decision for the club, for Lucas, for me, for every one of us. Without problems, Lucas is a big, big talent.“There will be a big competition to play (at Tottenham) because, at the end, I think we will be two players for each position. If he wants to stay, I will be happy. Otherwise, we have to find a new solution with (sporting director) Johan Lange, with Vinai (Venkatesham, chief executive). It’s not my business after the decision to leave (if that happens).”Tottenham have not set an asking price for Bergvall, though David Ornstein told The Athletic FC podcast that interested parties believe the north London club are holding out for a figure closer to £60m.Tottenham have made six signings this summer, breaking their transfer record twice: first for Mateus Fernandes (£85m) from West Ham United, and then for Sandro Tonali (up to £100m) from Newcastle United. Still, De Zerbi said he expects Spurs to continue working in the market, with a particular focus on attacking reinforcements.“First of all I think it’s not finished yet our transfer market window.” he said. “We have to finish, we have to bring another couple, maybe more, maybe not less, but a couple of players. I’m very happy, I’m excited to work with the new players, with the old players.“The target now is to complete the attacking positions. We want the first target, the first level, because we have already important players. But I think to start a new project we need another couple of important players for sure.”Andy Robertson is one of four defenders who have joined Tottenham this summer. The 32-year-old made over 350 appearances for Liverpool before leaving as a free agent, winning the Premier League and the Champions League across a nine-year spell at Anfield. De Zerbi said experienced signings like Robertson are what the club needs.Andy Robertson and Roberto De Zerbi spoke to media in Auckland, New Zealand (Phil Walter/Getty Images)“I think we are working very well with Johan and Vinai. We are working with a clear idea. We brought players with a great experience like Robbo (Andy Robertson).“I think we need this type of players because we need to increase experience, we have to improve in mentality. We have to be stronger because in the last two seasons we didn’t do what Tottenham has to do. At the end of the transfer market we will make the point to close the transfer market session. But at the moment I’m very excited.”Midfielders Rodrigo Bentancur and Pape Matar Sarr have not travelled with the squad after being granted extended leave following the World Cup with Uruguay and Senegal respectively, but De Zerbi said there was “no problem” and that they are “crucial” players.“I spoke after the World Cup with players, and for every one of them we take different ways,” added De Zerbi. “Bentancur asked me for one week more because he suffered a very tough season last season, and Pape Sarr has a personal problem, and he asked me for one week more. But nothing, no problem, nothing more than I said.”Mohammed Kudus remained in north London due to injury. The Ghana international winger missed the World Cup after suffering a setback in his recovery from a thigh problem sustained in January, but De Zerbi says he expects him to be “available to start to work with us” when Spurs return to the United Kingdom.“Kudus is very close, I think,” said the head coach. “When we come back to London, he will be available to start to work with us. It is a great thing for us. Because Kudus is another important player.”Guglielmo Vicario was also kept back with a small injury, requiring him “to stay one week in London”. The Italy international goalkeeper is expected to depart this summer after losing his starting spot to Antonin Kinsky. Dejan Kulusevski has not played in over a year owing to an unusual knee injury and is continuing his rehabilitation at Hotspur Way.“Kulusevski, we have to see in the next couple of weeks,” said De Zerbi. “He is another important player. But after one season, one complete season, without games, we have to analyse better and better and don’t take risks for sure. First of all, for him, and then for us.”