Lucas Bergvall signs new Tottenham contract after summer exit request

Lucas Bergvall has signed a new contract with Tottenham, three months after telling the club he wanted to leave, BBC Sport reported on Friday. The 20-year-old Sweden midfielder has committed his future to Spurs following a summer in which his limited opportunities under Roberto de Zerbi had prompted him to seek a move elsewhere.

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Bergvall's request followed a shortage of playing time after De Zerbi arrived towards the end of last season. BBC Sport reported that Tottenham rejected a £38m offer from Nottingham Forest, while Aston Villa and Chelsea were also interested. The renewal follows those attempts to move, although Bergvall has played only 45 minutes in the Premier League so far this season.

Explaining his decision to extend, Bergvall said he believed Tottenham were building something positive and described the club as the right place to develop both as a player and personally. His stated targets were to improve his performances and supply more goals and assists, with the aim of making a greater contribution to the team. He also said he was improving in training each day.

De Zerbi's earlier comments had combined praise for Bergvall's ability with a refusal to persuade players to remain against their wishes. Speaking in July, the Italian rated the midfielder highly but made clear that staying had to be the player's choice. He also acknowledged mistakes in his handling of Bergvall during the difficult closing stages of the previous campaign, when Tottenham narrowly escaped relegation.

Responding to the contract renewal, De Zerbi said he believed Bergvall's strongest performances were still to come and that Tottenham wanted to provide the opportunity for him to realise his potential. Those comments accompanied the new agreement after the manager had previously acknowledged problems in how he had managed the young midfielder.

Bergvall has already made 14 appearances for Sweden and became the country's youngest male player to feature at a World Cup, according to BBC Sport. The report did not specify the length of his new Tottenham contract or disclose its financial terms.