Tottenham lock in Bergvall as Bentancur's future fades

Tottenham Hotspur have rushed to fill a midfield void after a summer exodus and the sidelining of Rodrigo Bentancur, opting to secure Swedish youngster Lucas Bergvall on a long‑term contract as the club reshapes its core for the coming seasons.

Tottenham’s summer rebuild introduced ten new faces, notably club‑record signings Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes, while Conor Gallagher arrived in January to bolster the centre of the pitch.

Midfield overhaul and contract saga

The north London side also allowed Pape Matar Sarr, Yves Bissouma and Joao Palhinha to depart, creating space for fresh talent.

During the window, speculation swirled that Bergvall might leave; Nottingham Forest tabled a £38m offer and Newcastle United a £46m bid, both rejected as Spurs insisted on at least £60m.

Roberto De Zerbi’s talks with the Sweden international proved decisive, and on Friday the club confirmed Bergvall has signed a new long‑term deal, despite being reduced to a substitute role after a half‑time substitution in the opening game.

Spending of £185m on Fernandes and Tonali, Gallagher’s £200,000‑a‑week wages and Archie Gray’s inclusion in the leadership group underline a midfield that is now cemented for the next few seasons.

Bentancur's uncertain future

Bentancur, who renewed his contract a year ago until 2029, has been described as “very important” by De Zerbi and “outstanding” in the recent 0‑0 draw with Nottingham Forest, yet the club appears to be planning for life without him.

At 29, the Uruguay international is being phased out and could see a January move materialise, with only one appearance per week this season.

Forget Richarlison, as a new bid from Vasco da Gama has emerged for the Brazilian forward.

Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra By  Daniel Feliciano PM GMT+1. After deciding late that he wanted a career in sports journalism, Daniel worked his way up the ladder in an unconventional manner. Having opted against university, Daniel worked with as a freelance contributor and translator during transfer windows while also volunteering on several other blog pages and outlets to get a portfolio of content together. Daniel then worked with Barnet FC as part of their social media team before starting his own website, which focused on football and MMA content. Add Us Log in.