Roberto De Zerbi is prepared to let Nottingham Forest target Lucas Bergvall leave Tottenham Hotspur this summer.
The Reds have already had a £38 million bid for the 20-year-old rejected by their Premier League rivals. However, it is expected they will return with a fresh offer worth in the region of £45m as they work to strengthen new head coach Oliver Glasner’s squad.
Bergvall, who represented Sweden at the World Cup, is said to have informed Spurs of his wish to move on this summer amid concerns over a lack of game time. He made just one start and played a total of 112 minutes following the appointment of De Zerbi as manager in March.
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The young midfielder is part of Spurs’ 35-man squad currently on a pre-season tour of New Zealand and Australia. However, his future remains up in the air and De Zerbi has stated players who are not happy at the club should move on.
Asked whether Bergvall being included in Tottenham’s touring party should be seen as an indicator of his future, De Zerbi said (via Football London): “Listen, I was very clear at the start of my time in Tottenham. I said, 'Who doesn't want to stay in Tottenham, who is not happy, is not proud to stay here, has to leave'.
“I want proud players who are happy to stay here and to go on the pitch at Tottenham Stadium with a big motivation. If you think also in the World Cup, the motivation makes the difference. The motivation is to be happy to stay in one team.
“I have not spoken with Lucas yet, I will in the next days. And we will make the best decision for the club, for Lucas, for me, for every one of us.
“Without problems, Lucas is a big, big talent. There will be a big competition to play because at the end I think we will be two players for each position.
“If he wants to stay, I will be happy. Otherwise, we have to find a new solution with (sporting director) Johan Lange, with Vinai (Venkatesham, chief executive). It's not my business after the decision to leave (if that happens).”
De Zerbi was speaking prior to Spurs’ match against Auckland FC, played in the early hours of this morning (Sunday) UK time. Bergvall did not feature in the 2-0 victory.
Forest have already strengthened their options in the centre of the pitch, with the arrival of free agent Xaver Schlager. Adding another midfielder is on their to-do list, with Bergvall a top target following the £116m departure of Elliot Anderson to Manchester City.