Tottenham’s public line is that Lucas Bergvall is not leaving. Sitting behind that line is a detail that could change the arithmetic from the summer of 2027: his new contract reportedly contains a release clause.

Recent reports in Catalonia say Barcelona are tracking the 20-year-old Swedish international as a potential heir to Gavi. El Nacional reported that Barcelona president Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco could move for Bergvall if Gavi leaves the club.

Gavi has barely featured for Hansi Flick this season and, according to El Nacional, is not satisfied with the limited minutes he is receiving as he works back from two previous serious knee injuries.

The exit route for Gavi is forming elsewhere. Napoli are preparing an official offer in the region of €30m fixed plus €10m in variables, with the midfielder reportedly dissatisfied with his role as a backup at Barcelona.

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Bergvall’s cryptic answer

Bergvall signed a new deal in September that runs until 2031. Asked by Swedish outlet Fotbollskanalen whether the contract contained a release clause, he refused to confirm or deny it.

“Is that what you want to hear? That’s not something I’m going to say,” he told Fotbollskanalen.

Reports on 17 October have since put a date on it: a fixed release clause from the summer of 2027. The value has not been publicly disclosed.

Juventus want him on loan

Juventus manager Luciano Spalletti sees Bergvall as a midfielder who can keep and move the ball through central areas, and the Italian club are exploring a loan arrangement for January.

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Tottenham have made their position clear. They rejected summer 2025 approaches from Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest and, in extending Bergvall’s contract in September, assured him a central role under Roberto De Zerbi. He has had 324 Premier League minutes across six matches so far this season.

Barcelona’s 2024 near-miss

Barcelona have been here before. In January 2024, they had an agreement in place with Bergvall at Djurgården that collapsed when the midfielder demanded a direct path to the first team rather than a reserve role. He joined Tottenham instead.

If Gavi leaves in January, Barcelona would have reason to return for Bergvall, but the release clause does not activate until the summer of 2027. Any January deal would depend on Tottenham’s willingness to sell and on their asking price.

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