According to insiders close to both clubs, Manchester United had been tracking Bergvall for months prior to his decision to join Tottenham. Despite serious interest from Old Trafford, the 18-year-old chose North London over Manchester — a choice that’s now looking smarter by the day.
Fast forward to the summer of 2025, and Bergvall’s value has skyrocketed. Valuations now place him in the £60–70 million bracket, with European giants including Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Paris Saint-Germain monitoring his progress. Tottenham, however, are under no pressure to sell and are reportedly planning to build their midfield around the Swedish international, who has already drawn comparisons to Luka Modrić for his composure, vision, and maturity beyond his years.
“Lucas Bergvall could go down as one of the most shrewd signings in Spurs’ history,” said former Premier League midfielder Danny Murphy during an appearance on Match of the Day. “He’s got all the tools: technically gifted, tactically intelligent, physically strong. The fact that United let him slip through their fingers — that’s the kind of error that can haunt a club.”
Murphy isn’t alone in his assessment. Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou has been effusive in his praise of Bergvall, describing him as “a player who lives and breathes football, and already thinks like a seasoned pro.” The teenager made his first-team debut at the end of the 2024/25 season, and has since impressed throughout pre-season, scoring twice and assisting three in just four appearances. His performances have all but secured him a starting role in Tottenham’s Premier League opener against Leicester City next month.
Meanwhile, Manchester United fans have taken to social media to voice their frustration. With midfield reinforcements a clear necessity at Old Trafford, the club’s inability to secure Bergvall when the opportunity arose is being seen as emblematic of a wider malaise in United’s transfer strategy. Despite recent heavy spending under INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s partial ownership, critics say the club is still failing to spot — and act quickly on — elite young talent.
Football finance expert Kieran Maguire commented: “Tottenham effectively spent under £10 million on Bergvall. If he keeps progressing the way he has, Spurs could either enjoy five or six years of top-tier performances or flip him for seven to eight times that amount. United, on the other hand, spent nearly £60 million last summer on players who’ve barely featured.”
Indeed, when comparing Bergvall’s fee with United’s recent midfield acquisitions — including Mason Mount and Sofyan Amrabat — the contrast is stark. While Mount struggled for form and fitness and Amrabat failed to make his loan deal permanent, Bergvall has already become a fan favorite at Spurs, lauded for his maturity, versatility, and work rate.
Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy, often criticized for being overly cautious in the transfer market, now appears to have pulled off one of the best deals in his tenure. Sources at the club indicate that Spurs’ recruitment team, led by Johan Lange, had been tracking Bergvall since his Djurgårdens IF days. The club’s focus on data-led scouting and character profiling paid off, as they convinced the young Swede of their long-term project — something Manchester United reportedly failed to do.
In Sweden, Bergvall is being hailed as the next Zlatan Ibrahimović-level superstar. His national team debut is expected later this year, and he is already a key part of the U21 setup. Back home, Swedish media outlets are closely following his progress, with Aftonbladet recently running the headline: “Bergvall Shows England What Sweden Has Known All Along.”
While the transfer market continues to spiral in terms of fees and wages, Lucas Bergvall stands as a testament to smart recruitment, player development, and timing. Tottenham are reaping the rewards. Manchester United, on the other hand, are left licking their wounds — and facing renewed scrutiny over their scouting and recruitment processes.
As the 2025/26 season approaches, all eyes will be on the young Scandinavian midfield maestro. And if his trajectory continues, Tottenham may not just have rinsed Manchester United — they may have found the foundation of their next great era.
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