A resurgent Arsenal have reportedly joined the race for Tottenham Hotspur outcast Steven Bergwijn ahead of the summer transfer window.
According to Calciomercato, North London giants Arsenal have joined the race to sign Tottenham Hotspur ace Steven Bergwijn ahead of the 2022 summer transfer window.
The Dutchman joined Spurs from PSV Eindhoven in 2020, making an immediate impact by scoring the winner against Manchester City on his debut. However, that man of the match performance proved to be a faux pas as Bergwijn has struggled to translate that display into a consistent run of form at Tottenham.
The 24-year-old has made 74 appearances for the Lilywhites, scoring seven goals and assisting ten more. While Bergwijn has shown himself capable of making a dynamic impact upfront, his numbers showcase the lack of end product rife in his game. Tottenham, for their part, were open to letting the player leave and appeared to be willing to let him join Ajax in January.
However, the deal failed to materialise, and the player stayed put at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Given that Bergwijn has done little to suggest he can be an impact player since, it remains to be seen if Spurs are willing to listen to offers for him in the summer.
One team that has now entered the fray is Arsenal. The Gunners are enjoying a resurgence of sorts under Mikel Arteta and are now in pole position to take the coveted fourth spot in the Premier League standings. Given the rivalry between the two North London clubs, it is fair to say that Spurs might be more than inclined to reject any overtures from Arsenal.
AC Milan are also in the running for the 24-year-old, who could be available for as little as £15 million. Bergwijn is currently behind the likes of Harry Kane, Son Heung-min, Dejan Kulusevski and Lucas Moura in the pecking order at Tottenham and has shown little to suggest that he can usurp any of the quartet’s spots.
Daniel Levy is ready to listen to offers for the Dutchman in the summer. Antonio Conte has a huge task of rebuilding Tottenham, and it makes sense for Spurs to cash in on underperforming assets. However, it is debatable if they will entertain an offer from a direct rival, let alone Arsenal.
The Gunners could certainly do with some depth in attack, and Bergwijn’s movement and versatility could make him a natural fit at the Emirates. It also affords the player a fresh start following his struggles at Tottenham. While it would appear that the 24-year-old’s time at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is coming to an end, it will be a surprise if he is allowed to join Arsenal.
Bergwijn is no Sol Campbell and is far from a key player for Spurs. However, there are some lines you do not cross, and football tribalism could prove to be Arsenal’s biggest threat in landing the flying Tottenham outcast, leaving AC Milan as the likelier candidate to land him.
