Tottenham send Lucas Bergvall clear exit message as Nottingham Forest eye move

Tottenham‘s midfield has undergone a dramatic transformation this summer, but one player who still will not be allowed to leave is Lucas Bergvall.

Spurs have already committed around £185 million to strengthen the centre of the pitch, completing an £85 million move for Mateus Fernandes before agreeing a club-record deal worth up to £100 million for Sandro Tonali.

Roberto De Zerbi has made it clear he wants to raise the quality throughout his squad, and those two arrivals immediately elevate his options to world-class.

That has naturally raised questions over Bergvall’s future.

The Sweden international has been linked with Nottingham Forest in recent weeks, with incoming new boss Oliver Glasner set for a big say as he looks to reshape Forest’s midfield ahead of the new campaign.

Bergvall’s path to regular football suddenly looks much tougher following the arrivals of Fernandes and Tonali, prompting speculation that a loan or permanent move could suit all parties.

However, Tottenham have no intention of letting that happen.

Tottenham to block Lucas Bergvall exit despite player wish

Sky Sports reporter Michael Bridge says Spurs have told Bergvall he is staying put despite the player’s concerns over his opportunities next season.

The club’s message is simple: they still see the 20-year-old as a major part of their long-term plans.

That belief has been evident for some time.

Tottenham fought off fierce competition from Barcelona to sign Bergvall in 2024 and rewarded his progress with a new contract until 2031 earlier this year.

Internally, he is viewed as one of the brightest young midfielders at the club, with De Zerbi and technical director Johan Lange both keen to continue his development rather than cash in after just two seasons.

However, as per another follow up from Sky Sports’ Amar Mehta, Bergvall still wants to leave Spurs, which would allow him to play in his favoured position as a number 8.

The situation could risk getting ugly if Spurs outright block a departure for Bergvall, so the question remains whether that is the right decision.

Why Tottenham may want to keep Bergvall around for De Zerbi

Bergvall’s technical quality has never been in doubt.

Comfortable receiving the ball under pressure, capable of driving through midfield and mature beyond his years, he has already shown flashes of why Spurs invested so heavily in his potential.

While he may not start every week with Tonali and Fernandes now competing for central roles, Tottenham may believe his opportunities will come across the Premier League and in domestic cups.

Forest’s interest therefore appears unlikely to go anywhere unless Spurs dramatically change their position.

Young players often develop at different speeds, and Bergvall has already demonstrated enough to suggest he can become a key figure in north London.

Selling him now simply because competition has increased would be a short-sighted move.

De Zerbi has built his reputation on improving talented young footballers, and Bergvall fits that mould perfectly. Tottenham have invested heavily in the present by signing Tonali and Fernandes, but keeping Bergvall could prove just as important for the club’s future.

The biggest quarrel, however, is Bergvall’s own happiness with the decision, so there will be some negotiating to do here.