The clean-up at the north London club Tottenham will be almost total this summer with gigantic player investments, of course some sales and closing of contracts. – But… it will clearly not be a cheap sale, even though the squad is responsible for two 17th places in a row in the Premier League.
Manager Roberto de Zerbi, who saved the club at the end of last season, chose to take the job, only if he became an active part of Tottenham’s transfer work. – A key word, nothing should be done with desperation.
Read: Crucial piece falls into place in Liverpool’s midfield!
Swedish Lucas Bergvall is in the category, can be sold, but not for any amount.
Nottingham Forest got a clear message when they knocked on Tottenham’s door: Lucas Bergvall is not to be had for £38 million – the price tag is completely different.
TEAMtalk reports that Spurs are demanding a staggering £50m for the 20-year-old Swedish midfielder, after Forest made an opening bid of £38m that was rejected on the spot.
And behind the scenes, there is a stir: Bergvall himself wants to get away from north London.
Why Bergvall wants to leave
As we have previously revealed, the Swedish international sat down with Tottenham management early in the summer and gave a clear message: He wants regular first-team football and a new challenge.
Coach Roberto De Zerbi is a great admirer of Bergvall’s qualities and really wanted to keep him. But after Tottenham brought in Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes for a combined £185 million this winter – a huge investment that has completely transformed the midfield – the Italian has finally approved a sale.
Now the club wants to recoup some of the investment through player sales.
Why the price is so high
But why £50 million for a 20-year-old?
Sources close to the club explain that Tottenham believe the price is fully justified for four main reasons:
- Age and potential – Bergvall is only 20 years old and has already shown that he can measure up in the Premier League.
- Top division experience – he has proven himself in the world’s toughest league.
- The market – Spurs point to the inflated sums paid in the Premier League this summer.
- Unique profile – the club believes there are few young midfielders with his combination of technique and physicality.
Forest are not finished – and Bergvall is open
Nottingham Forest were the first to make a concrete offer, but 38 million was not enough. However, TEAMtalk understands that the City Ground club is still passionate about Bergvall and is now considering whether they should come back with an improved offer.
And here comes the exciting twist: Bergvall himself is open to the transfer.
In fact, the opportunity to work under Oliver Glasner has proven to be a deciding factor. The Forest boss has reportedly identified the Swede as his number one midfield target after Elliot Anderson left the club for Manchester City earlier this summer.
Glasner is convinced that Bergvall has the technical class and athleticism needed to flourish in his system.
The elite is being squeezed out
Tottenham’s price demands have already scared away several of Europe’s absolute top clubs. The Swedish midfielder’s price tag is simply too high for several of the usual big clubs that have shown interest.
Now it remains to be seen whether Nottingham Forest dare to go all in and put £50 million on the table – or whether Bergvall will have to put up with staying on the bench in London.
One thing is certain: The battle for the Swedish star’s signature is far from over.
Radiosporten: No Norwegian players at Manchester United since Solskjaer! “Now they want at least two World Cup heroes”
