Despite finishing 17th in the last two seasons in the Premier League, there has been a sense of cautious optimism at Tottenham Hotspur over the summer.
Roberto de Zerbi has already spent more than £230m on new players, with the main focus being on completing an overhaul of the Lilywhites’ midfield department.
Sandro Tonali and Matheus Fernandes have already joined for a total of £185m, with both deals breaking the club’s transfer records in the process.
Both would provide quality Premier League experience for the heart of the Italian squad, but could spell bad news for players who are likely to leave north London.
What does Lukas Bergvall’s future hold at Spurs?
Despite struggling in the Premier League last season, midfielder Lukas Bergvall was often a shining light, as evidenced by his one goal and three assists.
But it’s no secret that football can be a cruel industry, and the Swedish star could be kicked out of the main squad after the summer season.
The player has announced his intention to leave the Lilywhites for a new pasture this term, with Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United both making offers for the 20-year-old.
Speaking ahead of the latest pre-season game against Spurs this morning, De Zerbi said: “I haven’t spoken to Lucas yet but I will in the next few days and we will make the decision that is best for the club, for Lucas and for me.”
Minimum duration of Spurs commercials in PL (2025/26) | |
|---|---|
player | tally |
Callum Orcesi | 1 |
Eve Bissouma | 605 |
Lucas Bergvall | 966 |
conor gallagher | 1190 |
Pope Searle | 1391 |
archie gray | 1479 |
Rodrigo Bentancur | 1892 |
Joan Parinha | 2197 |
“No problem, Lucas is great and has great talent. In the end there will be two players in each position, so there will be great competition. If he wants to stay, I’m happy. If not, we have to find a new solution.”
Comments like this have no doubt opened the door for the youngster to explore a move away from north London, with previous reports claiming he wants to join Oliver Glasner’s team.
His current asking price of £60m could be a barrier to a move, but it would represent an incredible amount of business from the Lilywhites, who signed him for £8m two years ago.
How can Spurs sign a player above Bergvall this summer?
Despite transfers for Tonali and Fernandes already this summer, Spurs bosses are eyeing a third midfield signing to strengthen De Zerbi’s position.
Bournemouth star Alex Scott has been on the club’s radar in recent days, but given the aforementioned pair of moves, it is unlikely the Lilywhites will spend another £80m.
As a result, cheaper alternatives will have to be considered for the 2026-27 season, with former Chelsea star N’Golo Kante linked with a move to north London.
Turkish journalist Talha Arslan has reported that Spurs are interested in signing the Frenchman from Super Lig side Fenerbahce this summer.
He did not say how much it would cost to sign the 35-year-old over this period, but he would be a player who could provide proven top-level quality to De Zerbi’s ranks.
The midfielder only arrived in Turkey in February but could be set to return to England three years after leaving London rivals Chelsea to join Al Ittihad.
Kante is definitely at the end of his professional career, but could provide an experienced option to help Tonali and Fernandes develop.
Such a move will no doubt push Bergvall further down the pecking order and move him closer to the exit door, but who can blame the Lilywhites for targeting a world-class operator?
The French star has won two Premier League titles, a Champions League and a World Cup trophy, but he is definitely in a class above the Swedish international.
Despite his age, Kante managed to outperform Bergvall in a number of important areas last season, and subsequently completed more dribbles and passes than he attempted in European competition.
He also provided a great off-the-ball option, winning 56% of his ground duels and making 2.9 tackles per 90. Both numbers are far higher than the numbers produced by a 20-year-old player.
To further emphasize how impressive this figure is, he ranks above 85% of all players on the continent in the aforementioned category, confirming Frankie Lampard’s claim that he is ‘one of the best midfielders in the world’.
Kante’s 6.2 ball recoveries and 1.6 interceptions rank him in the top 20% of European midfielders, demonstrating his elite-level ability to confuse opponents.
The 35-year-old would add a proven Premier League option to the core of De Zerbi’s squad, although few Spurs fans may agree.
There is no denying that he will only be brought in as an option for the team, but given his previous level in England’s top flight, Tonali and Fernandes will have a great opportunity to learn from the French star.
Such a move would allow Bergvall to complete his move from north London, allowing the Lilywhites to recoup yet another impressive sum for the fringe first-team player.
