Tottenham's bid to sign Sandro Tonali this summer could cost them one of their most talented young players. Spurs are on a mission to overhaul their squad this summer after back-to-back bottom-half finishes, and they are already off to a good start with three signings, including the statement signing of centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke.
Spurs are getting firmly behind De Zerbi after narrowly dodging relegation, and while the likely high number of new signings is exciting for supporters, there are consequences to such moves. New arrivals often mean less play time for others, and while some will stick around and battle for a starting spot, others will be forced out, not content with reduced minutes.
And the potential deal that could take Newcastle United star Tonali to Hotspur Way could force out a highly-valued Spurs star this summer.
Tonali to Tottenham latest and a likely exit
Tottenham have had a £75million deal rejected by Newcastle for Tonali, but they could well return with a fresh bid, knowing the Magpies will likely sell for £80-£90million, especially after they missed out European qualification.
But the midfield signing, which would add to the capture of Conor Gallagher in January, could leave young talent Lucas Bergvall seeing reduced game time, especially with James Maddison back and Xavi SImons set to return in the winter.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Spurs could now lose Bergvall, but they will not let him go on the cheap.
"Remember, he was. 50/50 Tottenham, Barcelona, Barcelona, Tottenham, then Tottenham closed the deal," Romano recalled on his YouTube channel. "It was a long time ago, but Lucas Bergvall is still convinced that Tottenham was the right step, but he's feeling that with Tottenham going for Sandro Tonali - Tottenham wanted to add more players in midfield - he's not going to find the space he needs in order to develop and to grow under Roberto De Zerbi, and this is why Bergvall wants to go, probably £45-50m could take deal done."
Bergvall could be a big loss
Still only 20 years of age, Bergvall is a huge talent with a big future, and there is no doubting it would be a huge risk for Spurs to allow him to leave at this stage of his development.
Speaking last week, Bergvall's Sweden teammate, Celtic's Benjamin Nygren, said: "Lucas is, after all, one of the greatest talents Sweden has ever had. He’s amazing both as a player, and I really like him as a person."
Spurs want to win now under De Zerbi, but they are going to have to be careful when signing so many players that they do not abandon young players who could go on to become world-class players elsewhere.