Tottenham Hotspur are set to beat Barcelona to the signing of teenage midfielder Lucas Bergvall, according to a report.
Bergvall had widely been expected to sign for Barca this week having spent much of this week in Catalonia – sources told 90min on Wednesday that Spurs had been hopeful rather than optimistic of that deal falling through.
But David Ornstein of The Athletic reports Bergvall has had a change of heart and will instead sign for Tottenham.
Spurs’ push this week was fronted by technical director Johan Lange, while the 17-year-old also held talks with head coach Ange Postecoglou and chairman Daniel Levy in recent days.
Bergvall’s decision to snub Barcelona for Tottenham was made on Thursday night and he will now undergo a medical ahead of his an £8.5m move from Djurgarden. He will remain at the Swedish club until the end of the season before joining up with Spurs’ senior squad in the summer.
Tottenham have been among Europe’s most active operators in the January transfer window having brought in Timo Werner on loan from RB Leipzig and beaten Bayern Munich to the permanent signing of Radu Dragusin.
Barcelona had, ironically, been interested in signing Giovani Lo Celso from Spurs as cover for the injured Gavi, but the north Londoners did not want to sanction an exit.
The financially-hamstrung Blaugrana have endured a miserable campaign, with head coach Xavi revealing last week he will leave the club at the end of the season.
