Nottingham Forest have a few pieces of transfer business they want to tick off as they look ahead to the upcoming season.
After last term’s relegation battle, the Reds want to get back to competing for European football under Oliver Glasner. Although they have a strong group already in place, a few key additions are being targeted to bolster the new head coach’s resources.
Xaver Schlager became the club’s first signing of the summer window when he penned a two-year deal last week. The midfielder arrived as a free agent after leaving RB Leipzig at the end of last season.
But despite having already brought in Schlager, Forest are keen to further strengthen in the centre of the pitch. With Tottenham Hotspur youngster Lucas Bergvall a target, the Nottingham Post takes a look at the state of play…
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Story so far
The Reds have a void to fill in midfield this summer, following Elliot Anderson’s £116 million move to Manchester City. Schlager has been brought in to help plug the gap, and Bergvall is also wanted.
Bringing in young players with the potential to improve and increase in value has been a key feature of Forest’s transfer strategy in recent windows. The 20-year-old Swede fits that template.
An initial £38 million bid from the Reds for him was rejected, but the club are not giving up on their pursuit. Newcastle United have also been credited with an interest Bergvall.
The Sweden international has reportedly informed Spurs of his desire to move on this summer. He is believed to have concerns over a lack of game time in the capital.
Under Roberto De Zerbi, who took charge in March, he made just one start and played a total of 112 minutes. A potential move to the City Ground is understood to appeal to the midfielder.
Various price tags have been mooted for the player, comprising anything from £45-60m. After last summer’s transfer saga involving Morgan Gibbs-White, it remains to be seen how willing Spurs might be to do business with Forest.
What has been said?
Bergvall was named in Spurs’ starting XI for Wednesday’s pre-season friendly against Sydney FC. Afterwards, De Zerbi was asked if the player had expressed a desire to leave and replied: “No, never.”
De Zerbi added: “I’m always being very clear with him and with you. I would like that he stays with us. I think he’s potentially a top, top, top player, but then I don’t want to convince anyone to stay.”
Tottenham have brought in Matheus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali this summer, which could impact Bergvall’s chances of playing. The increased competition facing the player is something De Zerbi is aware of.
He added: “Tottenham is already, without me, a top club and we are not to convince anyone to stay. He can find the space if he stays with us.
“The competition within the players will be very strong because we are Tottenham and we have to build a strong squad. Not just 11 players.
“It’s very clear, his idea. He wants space. He wants to play as a double pivot as a position. I can’t give, for any player in the world, the place in the first XI guaranteed, especially for me, I want to be honest with the players. I want to be clear.”
He continued: “I am speaking with (Bergvall) before the end of the last season, during the World Cup two times but now we are speaking better, face to face, without a competition in this moment.
“I would like that he stays. I would like that he stays, but if he doesn’t want, then what can I do? Nothing.
“He has to speak with Vinai (Venkatesham, chief executive) or Johan Lange (sporting director). To stay with us, we have to have the right spirit to stay. He’s a good guy. We will see in the next weeks.”
Previously, De Zerbi had been asked whether Bergvall being included in Tottenham’s touring party in pre-season should be seen as an indicator of his future. He said: “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.
“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).”
What about Bergvall?
Bergvall was asked about his future in the capital after his country lost to France in the World Cup’s round of 32. The midfielder had been in the starting XI for the 3-0 defeat.
He said: "I want continuous matches in my position. That is the only goal. We’ll see what happens in the future. I’ve only been focused on the World Cup until now."
Throughout his involvement in the tournament, Bergvall gave little away when quizzed on whether he wants to move on this summer. He said at the time: "As I said, my focus has been on the World Cup. We’ll deal with whatever comes next. I don’t know – we’ll see.”
