Nottingham Forest are set to test Tottenham’s resolve with a £45m offer for Lucas Bergvall, after their initial £38m bid was rejected last week — and the Sweden international’s desire to leave north London could inadvertently hand Arsenal a path to Bruno Guimaraes.
The 20-year-old midfielder, who joined Spurs from Djurgarden in 2024 and was named the club’s player of the year after his first Premier League season, wants the move to the City Ground. He played limited minutes under Roberto de Zerbi last term, often out of his preferred number‑six role, and missed two months after ankle surgery.
“Forest set to make £45m offer for Tottenham's Bergvall after rejected £38m bid; Newcastle interest could aid Arsenal's Guimaraes chase.”
New Forest boss Oliver Glasner, speaking at his first press conference on Thursday, offered a telling glimpse of his mindset when asked about potential arrivals. “I have one strength and weakness, it’s impatience. Sometimes it’s a strength, sometimes it’s a weakness,” he said. “Of course, I would have hoped they already trained with us on the other side. It’s impossible because the players we’re now talking to they play at the World Cup so are still on vacation. I’m pretty convinced we will have a few players joining us in Portugal.”
Bergvall, who signed a new contract until 2031 last April, has 14 caps for Sweden and played at the World Cup, where his side were knocked out by France in the last 32. He played 33 games for Spurs last season as the club ended a 17‑year trophy drought by winning the Europa League.
Forest are not stopping with Bergvall: they also need a goalkeeper to support Matz Sels and John Victor, and a striker to aid Chris Wood, who turns 35 in December, and Igor Jesus. But there will be no repeat of last summer’s 13‑player, £180m spree — the club is prioritising quality over quantity. Elliot Anderson’s record‑breaking move to Manchester City has freed up both funds and a midfield slot.
Now Newcastle United have entered the race for Bergvall, according to reports — a move that is potentially good news for Arsenal as they pursue Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes. With the Magpies eyeing a replacement, the path to the Brazilian may finally open.
For Forest, the question is whether £45m will be enough to prise Bergvall from Spurs — and whether Glasner’s impatience can be satisfied before the squad heads to Portugal.