Chelsea made a late transfer deadline day enquiry for Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Lucas Bergvall following Enzo Fernandez’s high-profile departure to Manchester City, according to reports. Fabrizio Romano confirmed that Stamford Bridge officials made contact to gauge the availability of the 20-year-old Swedish international, but Tottenham rejected the approach, with head coach Roberto De Zerbi insisting the player remains part of his plans.
Midfield restructuring in London
Chelsea’s late move came as head coach Xabi Alonso sought midfield reinforcements after Fernandez completed his transfer to Manchester City. Meanwhile, Tottenham’s own midfield underwent a significant overhaul during the summer window. The North London club secured high-profile signings in Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes for a combined £185 million, while allowing Pape Matar Sarr to join Juventus on loan with an obligation to buy. Despite the increased competition for places, De Zerbi made it clear that Bergvall was not for sale. Speaking on the player's future, De Zerbi stated that the midfielder “wants to stay” and is highly regarded as a top potential player after extensive pre-season discussions.
Bergvall’s North London pathway
Having arrived at Tottenham in July 2024, Bergvall had previously expressed a desire in June 2026 for more first-team minutes in his preferred number eight role. While Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest also registered interest during the window, De Zerbi successfully convinced the Sweden international to remain at the club. For Chelsea, failing to land Bergvall on deadline day means they must now wait until January to pivot their midfield search. With Tottenham integrating their expensive new recruits, Bergvall faces a crucial period to establish himself in De Zerbi's heavily altered engine room rather than seeking a pathway elsewhere.
