Tottenham are highly reluctant to let Lucas Bergvall leave in January, and the only way a deal happens is if Spurs sign a replacement first.
The 20-year-old has interest from Barcelona, Napoli and Juventus after a stop-start few months under Roberto De Zerbi. According to TEAMtalk, though, Spurs are not prepared to weaken their midfield halfway through the season.
That makes a permanent sale or even a loan highly unlikely this winter, whoever comes calling.
Why are Barcelona watching Lucas Bergvall?
This is not a new interest. Barcelona tracked the Sweden international during his Djurgården days, before Tottenham beat them to his signature in 2024, and they still see him as a versatile long-term option in central midfield.
Napoli are keeping an eye on him too as they weigh up their own midfield options. Juventus have been the most active of the three in the short term, with some believing they would explore a loan until the end of the season. Even that now looks difficult.
The reason clubs are circling is simple: minutes. Bergvall has made only two Premier League starts and six appearances in all competitions this season.
Tottenham’s one condition for a January sale
Spurs want cover in place before anyone leaves. Letting Bergvall go would thin out a key area of the squad, and the club are not willing to do that mid-season without a replacement already lined up.
He is still part of De Zerbi’s plans, too. There is hope at the club that he will work his way back into the side, and his contract is hardly a problem: he signed a new deal until 2031 in September.
That extension came as a surprise at the time. Bergvall had been strongly linked with an exit in the summer, with Spurs said to value him at around £60m, but Nottingham Forest, Newcastle United and others could not agree a deal.
What did Bergvall say when he signed his new contract?
Bergvall explained his decision back in September: “I think we’re building something great here. It’s an exciting time for the Club and that’s why I’m happy to extend my contract.”
“Personally, my goal is to produce more for the team, performances, goals and assists, to help as much as I can,” he said.
Is Bergvall fit to face Leeds?
He could be. Bergvall picked up a knee problem against Manchester United in October, early in the game and in the first chance he created for Dominic Solanke. The first estimate was a fortnight out, but he has now missed the last three matches.
De Zerbi said last week that he expected Bergvall back before the international break, and Saturday’s lunchtime trip to Elland Road is the last game before it. You can see how we think Spurs will line up in our Tottenham predicted lineup vs Leeds United.
Verdict: Bergvall stays, and has to fight for his place
Spurs’ stance makes sense. The midfield has a new look this season, with Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes arriving in the summer and keeping clean sheets together, but injuries can change that in a week. Selling a 20-year-old on a deal to 2031 without a replacement would be the wrong kind of bold.
For Bergvall, the next few weeks matter more than any Barcelona headline. If he gets back to match sharpness and starts nudging De Zerbi’s team sheet, the January talk goes quiet on its own. If he doesn’t, the summer could look very different.
