Lucas Bergvall has been named in Tottenham Hotspur's travelling squad for their pre-season tour of Australia and New Zealand despite his desire to leave the North London club.
Player's Situation
The Sweden international midfielder is keen to leave Spurs this summer in search of more regular game-time after seeing his role diminish under the management of Thomas Frank and then Roberto De Zerbi. The 20-year-old joined Tottenham from Djurgarden two years ago and was named the Supporters' Player of the Season in his first campaign at the club. He then penned a long-term contract last summer but has grown frustrated at his lack of opportunities since then, further accentuated by the summer additions of Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali for a combined £185million.
Transfer Interest
As such, he is assessing his options on the market and Newcastle, as well as Nottingham Forest, are interested in signing the young talent. However, Alasdair Gold, Tottenham reporter at Football.London, believes Bergvall's preference at the minute is to join Nottingham Forest but he would 'jump at the chance' to join Newcastle, too.
"Forest is his preference because he would get more game time there," Gold said on his YouTube channel. "But I'm sure he would also jump at the chance to play for Newcastle because obviously they are a terrific club, have a terrific fanbase in terms of a big stadium. We have heard the roar at St James' Park and it is a great place to play, I would imagine. But both clubs have lost Anderson, have lost Tonali so those two clubs have got a spot for a player who wants to play as a number eight. That is all he has wanted. To play as an eight, to train as an eight and ultimately Bergvall just wants to play football."
Tour and Potential Delay
Bergvall has been named in a 35-man travelling squad for their tour which will see them face Auckland FC on Sunday, July 26, Sydney FC on Wednesday, July 29, and Chelsea on Saturday, August 1. That could possibly delay any departure and certainly in Newcastle's case, time is of the essence to ensure the squad is ready for the Premier League season opener against Liverpool in just over four weeks' time.
Chronicle Live understands that the 20-year-old was offered to Newcastle and with the Magpies in the market for a midfielder, the club enquired on a price tag with some numbers suggested but no official bid was made as of last week. Conversations took place between the two boards but Newcastle have not agreed a deal yet. It is believed that Spurs are happy for it to be known that Bergvall is attracting further interest.
Nottingham Forest are also keen on Bergvall and had a £38m bid turned down by Spurs, who feel they can hold out for £50m. Tottenham like the idea of a bidding war for Bergvall but Newcastle are sticking to their valuations on both incoming and outgoing business. The Magpies are also monitoring Brazil international midfielder Danilo Santos, who has shone at Botafogo since leaving Nottingham Forest to move back to his homeland last summer.
