Nottingham Forest have been in talks with Tottenham over the signing of Spurs’ 20yo star.
Lucas Bergvall is attracting plenty of interest after expressing a desire to leave Tottenham Hotspur this summer.
The 20-year-old is prioritising getting regular minutes elsewhere after falling out of favour at the back end of last season under Roberto De Zerbi. In fact, he was an unused substitute in the final three games, as De Zerbi preferred experience over youth in the middle of the park during Tottenham’s relegation battle. And that decision worked, as Spurs survived by the skin of their teeth on the last day of the campaign by beating Everton 1-0 at home.
However, with the Lilywhites adding central midfielders Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes earlier this month, Lucas Bergvall’s future has become uncertain at the club. The Swede, who was recently on World Cup duty, is keen to leave for greener pastures. Several clubs have shown an interest in Bergvall, including Premier League duo Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa.
Tottenham knock back Nottingham Forest’s opening bid for Lucas Bergvall
It recently emerged that Nottingham Forest have opened talks with Tottenham for the signing of Bergvall. The Tricky Trees have identified the Swedish talent as a replacement for Elliot Anderson, who is heading to Manchester City.
Now, according to a report from TEAMtalk, Spurs have rejected Nottingham Forest’s first bid of £38m for the 20-year-old. The north Londoners are pushing for a fee in the region of £50 million before sanctioning an exit for Bergvall. It is understood that Forest are expected to return with a second offer for the Tottenham midfielder.
While De Zerbi is an admirer of Bergvall’s talent and would like to keep him in his squad, the Spurs boss has ultimately sanctioned his exit after the big-money arrivals of Tonali and Fernandes. This has now led to the Hotspur Way chiefs looking to recoup some of the £185m investment on Tonali and Fernandes through player sales. And they are willing to listen to offers for Bergvall at around £50 million.
Excl: Tottenham have rejected an initial bid of around £38m from #nffc for Lucas Bergvall. Forest are set to make a second offer, with Bergvall the No 1 target after the sale of Elliot Anderson. Spurs valuation understood be circa £50m #thfc https://t.co/Pf3AmDaZMd
— John Percy (@JPercyTelegraph) July 16, 2026
Tottenham holding out for a premium
The Stockholm native is open to joining Forest and working with new boss Oliver Glasner. He would get regular opportunities at the City Ground and develop well under Glasner, who helped Crystal Palace win three trophies during his time in south London.
Bergvall missed two months after undergoing ankle surgery and managed only 33 games for Spurs last season. He faces significantly reduced playing time following Tottenham’s extensive summer recruitment drive. From the Lilywhites’ perspective, their quick refusal of Forest’s opening offer highlights their firm stance in the transfer market. As his new contract runs until 2031, the Spurs hierarchy are under no pressure to sell the Swede on the cheap this summer.
Bergvall’s age, high potential, technical quality and Premier League experience make him one of the most exciting young midfield talents on the market. So, Tottenham are well within their rights to hold out for a premium fee for the Scandinavian prodigy.