“Extremely disappointed” – Club left gutted after player chose Tottenham over them
Djurgårdens IF Fotboll sporting director Bosse Andersson has revealed that Barcelona were left visibly disappointed after missing out on securing the signature of Lucas Bergvall, who ultimately chose to join Tottenham Hotspur.
The 19-year-old Swedish midfielder, widely regarded as one of Europe’s most promising young talents, attracted interest from several top clubs before Spurs won the race for his services in February 2024.
Bergvall’s decision to snub Barcelona in favor of a move to North London came as a surprise to the Catalan giants, who had been confident of landing the teenager after he visited their facilities.
Andersson, who recently appeared on Carina Bergfelt’s talk show, shared insights into the transfer saga, with his comments later relayed by Aftonbladet.
He explained that Barcelona had been heavily invested in securing Bergvall and were taken aback when he opted for Tottenham instead. “Lucas Bergvall is an interesting footballer and has always been talented,” Andersson said.
“We had the privilege of discussing with perhaps one of Europe’s biggest football clubs, Barcelona, who were interested. I think Barcelona were quite surprised because you don’t just go to Barcelona to watch, eat tapas, and see if it’s nice. I think they were extremely disappointed that he went to Tottenham.”
Bergvall’s decision to join Tottenham has proven to be a wise one, as he has quickly established himself as a regular in Ange Postecoglou’s squad. The Swedish international has already clocked 1,875 minutes across 38 matches this season, showcasing his versatility, technical ability, and maturity beyond his years.
His seamless adaptation to the Premier League has validated his choice, with Andersson praising the midfielder’s development since the move. “The choice itself has proven to be absolutely right,” Andersson stated. “He has come to Tottenham and has become an established Premier League player.”
The transfer saga highlighted Tottenham’s growing appeal under Postecoglou, as they managed to outmaneuver one of Europe’s most prestigious clubs to secure Bergvall’s signature.
For Barcelona, the disappointment of missing out on such a highly-rated prospect was palpable, but for Bergvall, the move to Tottenham has provided the perfect platform to continue his development and thrive on one of football’s biggest stages.
As he continues to impress in the Premier League, Bergvall’s decision to choose Spurs over Barcelona looks increasingly like a masterstroke, both for the player and the club.