Lucas Bergvall has informed Tottenham Hotspur of his preference to seek a new challenge elsewhere, amid strong interest from sides in England and across Europe.
The 20-year-old midfielder is competing for Sweden at the 2026 World Cup but Spurs are now aware that he would like to depart this summer in search of a fresh start.
Bergvall joined from Swedish club Djurgarden in 2024 and remains under contract until June 2031.
The Athletic revealed in February that Tottenham could face a battle to keep hold of him after rebuffing enquiries during the winter market.
Bergvall’s first campaign saw him occupy a key role under Ange Postecoglou — he was named Spurs player of the year and helped them win the 2025 Europa League, the team’s first trophy in 17 years.
Postecoglou’s replacement as head coach, Thomas Frank, used the midfielder less frequently and often out wide, rather than the central area he favours and tends to operate best in.
Frank’s exit saw Igor Tudor take charge for a brief spell, in which Bergvall appeared twice, as a substitute on both occasions.
The arrival of Roberto De Zerbi in March led to Bergvall getting a start at Sunderland, however he was substituted during the second half and barely featured thereafter. His preferred number eight position does not appear best suited to the 4-2-3-1 system De Zerbi used at the end of last season and that is said to be noticeable in training, too.
Furthermore, Tottenham pursuing options like Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes perhaps gives a glimpse of De Zerbi’s vision for the future.
Bergvall’s case has alerted suitors in the Premier League and beyond.
Previously, both Aston Villa and Chelsea established contact with Spurs to check if an opportunity existed — but it was clarified they had no wish to consider a sale and the matter did not advance.
Bergvall became his country’s youngest player to make a World Cup appearance when he emerged from the bench against Tunisia on June 14, providing an assist in a 5-1 win for Graham Potter’s men.
He was also introduced in the second half during Saturday’s heavy loss to the Netherlands by the same scoreline, which leaves Sweden’s hopes of qualifying for the knockout stage in the balance.
Would a departure for Bergvall make sense?
Analysis by Tottenham Hotspur correspondent Jack Pitt-Brooke
Tottenham Hotspur beat competition from around Europe when they signed Lucas Bergvall from Djurgarden two years ago.
But for all his obvious talent, he was not an integral player under Roberto De Zerbi as Tottenham fought their way to Premier League safety. De Zerbi preferred Rodrigo Bentancur and Joao Palhinha sat in front of the defence with Conor Gallagher running hard in the no10 role. And Bergvall was left on the sidelines.
It was never quite clear last season what Bergvall’s best role was. Thomas Frank tried to use him as someone who ran hard and arrived late in the box, but he rarely got the chance to showcase his technical skill. He started to look like a midfielder who relied more on his physicality than what he could do on the ball. Two years after arriving, it is still not certain whether he is a 6, an 8 or even a 10.
Spurs’ early moves in the transfer market this summer have shown that they want to upgrade the midfield, with a focus on Premier League experience. And with Tottenham out of European competition for the forthcoming season, they will not have a lot of games to be shared out.
That means that chances for Bergvall could be few and far between. And he may not get the opportunities that he would need to continue to his development.