Replacing Elliot Anderson: Nottingham Forest's Bergvall move

Nottingham Forest's most concrete midfield file of the summer window is entering a second act. According to BBC Sport, the club are preparing a £45 million bid for Tottenham's Swedish midfielder Lucas Bergvall; Spurs had already rejected an opening offer worth £38 million submitted for the 20-year-old last week.

The player's own preference also strengthens this pursuit. BBC Sport understands the Sweden international wants the move to the City Ground, having played limited minutes at the end of last season under Tottenham boss Roberto De Zerbi, often not in his preferred number six position.

Forest's new head coach has also left his mark on this file. Without directly referring to Bergvall at his first press conference on Thursday, Oliver Glasner said: "I have one strength and weakness, it's impatience. Sometimes it's a strength, sometimes it's a weakness."

The picture on Tottenham's side has also become clear. The club's hierarchy is said to have sat down with Bergvall at the start of the summer, with the player informing them of his wish to leave; De Zerbi is a big admirer of the player but has sanctioned his exit following the club's £185 million combined outlay on Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes.

The price tag also shapes the competition. Tottenham's £50 million valuation of Bergvall has reportedly priced out clubs such as Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig, Atletico Madrid and Juventus, meaning only Premier League sides can afford him. Having lost Elliot Anderson to Manchester City for £116 million, Forest are looking to this deal to find a replacement; should the bid be accepted, Bergvall would become the club's most expensive signing in history.

Source: BBC Sport
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