Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly rejected an offer from AFC Ajax for 24-year-old Steven Bergwijn, who is keen on a return to his homeland.
According to De Telegraaf, Tottenham Hotspur have knocked back an opening offer for Steven Bergwijn from defending Eredivisie champions AFC Ajax ahead of the summer transfer window.
Bergwijn joined Tottenham from Ajax’s arch-rivals PSV Eindhoven in the January window of 2020 in a deal worth £26.7 million and made a great start to life in London, scoring on his debut against Manchester City. However, the Dutchman’s career at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has failed to kick on as expected from that point onwards.
Bergwijn has found game-time hard to come by with the managers preferring Lucas Moura and Son Heung-min out wide. An exit during the January window was mooted as Ajax tried desperately to sign him. However, Antonio Conte was unwilling to sanction a sale mid-season as it would weaken the depth in the squad.
But the arrival of Dejan Kulusevski in January has pushed Bergwijn further down the pecking order of things at Tottenham. And with the Lilywhites set to make the Swede’s signing permanent, they are ready to move Bergwijn on in the summer, with Ajax still holding an interest.
Tottenham have received an official bid from Ajax for Steven Bergwijn, as per @telegraaf. The proposal is now confirmed – Bergwijn would be ready to agree personal terms with Ajax until June 2027. ?? #Ajax
Tottenham are open to sell him this summer, talks now ongoing. #THFC pic.twitter.com/Lmv3N3P288
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 3, 2022
As per the report, the Dutch champions, who are set to embark on a new era after Erik ten Hag left the managerial post to join Manchester United, want to sign Bergwijn this summer and have made an opening offer for the 24-year-old Netherlands international.
Considering the widespread interest Antony is attracting this summer, it makes sense for Ajax to bring in another forward, making Bergwijn a viable target due to his proven pedigree in the Eredivisie. However, the Dutch champions’ opening bid for the winger has been knocked back by Tottenham Hotspur.
But with Bergwijn reportedly keen on joining and an agreement over a five-year contract expected to be reached, Ajax should return with an improved offer for the 24-year-old.
Tottenham are poised to receive £150 million funding from their owners this summer to invest in the club. Despite that, player sales will be on the minds of the club as they look to get rid of the players who do not belong in Conte’s plans. So, should an offer of their liking come along from Ajax, the north Londoners will likely offload Bergwijn and an exit seems like a solid possibility.
