Tottenham midfielder has been linked with an exit following the latest transfer developments.
Tottenham Hotspur are understood to be working on a third midfielder signing after breaking the bank to land Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes this summer. Those two signings alone cost Spurs around £185million including add-ons, and they are responsible for putting the futures of a couple of midfielders at the club in doubt.
Lucas Bergvall is seeking a new adventure after he has fallen down the pecking order under Roberto De Zerbi. Wary of his opportunities plummeting further following Fernandes and Tonali’s acquisitions, the Swede wants out of Spurs. Several clubs have shown an interest in the 20-year-old, including Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa.
Another midfielder facing significantly reduced playing time following Tottenham’s extensive summer recruitment drive is Pape Matar Sarr. The 23-year-old made just 26 Premier League appearances last term, racking up 1,389 minutes in the process. He wasn’t fancied much in the last eight games of the season, as De Zerbi preferred experienced trio Joao Palhinha, Rodrigo Bentancur and Conor Gallagher in the middle of the park.
Brentford to battle Galatasaray for Pape Matar Sarr
Pape Matar Sarr has no shortage of suitors. According to Senegal’s Wiw Sport, Brentford and Galatasaray are interested in the Tottenham midfielder.
However, the Lilywhites consider Sarr as a ‘valuable player’ and are ‘reluctant’ to part ways with him. It would take a ‘substantial offer’ to change the club’s stance on the 23-year-old, who still has four years to run on his contract. This shows Tottenham are in total control of the player’s future and can realistically ask for a big fee.
Both Galatasaray and Brentford hold appeal in different ways. Galatasaray are the Turkish champions and have been regularly competing in the Champions League. Not only will Sarr be able to relaunch his career at the Rams Park, but also regularly compete with top talents in the Champions League.
Brentford, on the other hand, were the surprise package in the Premier League last season. Following Thomas Frank’s departure, Keith Andrews was appointed their manager, and he did a brilliant job across the capital. The young tactician guided the Bees to ninth in the table, employing a possession-based, aggressive and attacking football. Several young talents have flourished in Andrews’ system, which might appeal to Sarr to become a part of the Irish tactician’s project.
From Tottenham’s perspective, the hierarchy are under no financial duress to sell their young assets on the cheap. The additions of Tonali and Fernandes means fringe players are being pushed toward the periphery. However, with Brentford and Galatasaray keeping tabs on Sarr’s situation, Tottenham are perfectly positioned to hold out for a premium should the Senegalese international ultimately force through a permanent departure before the window slams shut.