Tottenham Hotspur made a significant move on the final day of the January transfer window by securing the signing of highly-rated Swedish midfielder Lucas Bergvall from Djurgardens IF.
The 18-year-old wonderkid agreed to a five-year contract with Spurs, with the transfer fee reported to be €10 million.
Barcelona were considered favourites to sign him, but Tottenham ended up outmanoeuvring them for Bergvall’s signature, with the player opting for the North London club over the Spanish giants.
The newly appointed technical director of Tottenham, Johan Lange, is said to have played a pivotal role in orchestrating the deal.
The player has now himself revealed why he chose Tottenham over Barcelona.
Speaking to The Athletic, he explained:
“We were eating in the mountains with Deco, we looked outside and there were 150 people trying to get in.
“We got into a taxi, drove into the city and they were following us. We got into a garage and switched cars.
“It was a crazy day. I came home and needed to decide, but my gut feeling was always Tottenham.
“They play really good football and it’s fun to watch. Ange is doing a great job.
“When you’re looking at the team you feel like they’re going to new areas and are starting to build something.”
TBH Says:
Bergvall’s comments underscore the growing influence of Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham. Since taking over, Postecoglou has been instrumental in restoring the club’s identity and implementing an attractive brand of football.
This along with his reputation for developing young players and integrating them into the first team has made Tottenham an appealing destination for many emerging stars.
The signing of the likes of Bergvall is a testament to the positive direction in which Tottenham are heading under Postecoglou’s leadership.
The club’s ability to attract such promising talent is a clear indication of their renewed ambition and strategic planning for the future.