Newcastle United will be on alert after the future of one of their key transfer targets was addressed by his manager after a pre-season friendly.
The Magpies have persistently been credited with an interest in Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Lucas Bergvall, who is currently in Australia with Spurs and played in their warm-up against A-League side Sydney FC.
Spurs have signed midfielders Matheus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali for a combined fee in the region of £185 million, leaving the 20-year-old’s place in the team under threat.
‘I don’t want to convince anyone to stay’
The Sweden midfielder is understood to have informed Spurs that he wants to leave, with Newcastle a potential destination thanks to the departure of Tonali and ongoing speculation about the future of captain Bruno Guimaraes.
Spurs manager Roberto De Zerbi was candid in his comments about Bergvall’s destiny after the game in Sydney, as reported by Nazaar Kinsella for BBC Sport. The Italian has already been won over by the player but isn’t hiding the fact that their requirements might not align this summer.
“I would like that he stays with us,” said the Spurs boss. “”I think he’s potentially a top, top, top player. But then I don’t want to convince anyone to stay. Tottenham is already, without me, a top club and we are not to convince anyone to stay.
“He can find the space if he stays with us. The competition within the players will be very strong because we are Tottenham and we have to build a strong squad – not just 11 players – especially considering a lot of injuries we suffered in the last two, three seasons.
“He wants space. He wants to play as a double pivot as a position. I can’t give, for any player in the world, the place in the first XI guaranteed. I want to be honest with the players. I want to be clear. I don’t want to make the first mistake. In terms of position, I can’t give guarantee.”
Spurs moved quickly to equip De Zerbi with new signings capable of underpinning improvement on the pitch after consecutive 17th-placed finishes in the Premier League and two seasons rather closer to relegation than expected, albeit with a Europa League win and a respectable Champions League campaign in the mix too.
Tonali and Fernandes have been signed along with big-money defender Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton & Hove Albion and the free transfer acquisitions of Marcos Senesi from Bournemouth, Andy Robertson from Liverpool and Burnley goalkeeper Martin Dubravka.
Added depth and an improved starting midfield don’t say much for Bergvall’s long-term prospects at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium irrespective of De Zerbi’s positive words.
If Bergvall were to move to St James’ Park, he could be back at Spurs before the end of next month.
Their first home game of the season will be against the Magpies on Saturday, August 29.
