Aston Villa are continuing to keep a close eye on Lucas Bergvall\u2019s situation and could test Tottenham\u2019s resolve if an opportunity presents itself in the summer, but Liverpool are also poised to join the race.<\/p>\n
Spurs have endured a deeply disappointing campaign, prompting the appointment of Igor Tudor in a bid to steady the ship after Thomas Frank\u2019s tenure unravelled and dragged the club towards the relegation zone.<\/p>\n
Villa<\/a> are long-term admirers of Bergvall and TEAMtalk understands they have tracked his progress closely for some time. They made enquiries about a deal in January<\/a> after missing out on Conor Gallagher, but were ultimately unable to prise him away from Tottenham.<\/p>\n Bergvall<\/a>, 20, is regarded internally at Spurs as one of their most exciting long-term assets, and the club\u2019s stance has so far been clear in that he is not for sale.<\/p>\n However, much could yet hinge on how Tottenham<\/a> finish the season and what direction they choose with their next permanent manager.\u00a0Any continued instability on or off the pitch may encourage rival clubs to explore whether the situation is entirely as firm as it appears.<\/p>\n Villa believe that the promise of European football and a clear upward trajectory could give them a persuasive edge.<\/p>\n While prising Bergvall away would be very difficult, the Midlands club hope that presenting a compelling sporting project could create intrigue \u2013 if Spurs are still struggling.<\/p>\n Want more breaking transfer lines from original sources? Add TEAMtalk as a preferred source on Google <\/a>to your favourites list for news you can trust.<\/p>\n Liverpool keen on Spurs starlet<\/p>\n Liverpool<\/a> are also understood to have registered an interest in Bergvall\u2019s situation, with the Anfield hierarchy continuing to monitor emerging midfield talent across Europe.<\/p>\n Their presence in the background could yet complicate matters for Villa should Tottenham\u2019s stance soften at any stage.<\/p>\n Tottenham view Bergvall as one of the top talents in the European game and would set a fee designed to deter suitors.<\/p>\n Yet after a turbulent period of inconsistent form they face new, growing financial scrutiny, and there is a sense that no situation can be considered completely immune if the right offer arrives.<\/p>\n Bergvall, a six-time capped Swedish international, has made 16 appearances across all competitions for Tottenham this season, notching one goal and four assists in the process.<\/p>\n He hasn\u2019t played since mid-January due to an ankle injury, which required surgery, and the expectation is that he\u2019ll be out for another six weeks.<\/p>\n But those ailments haven\u2019t put off the likes of Villa and Liverpool, who view him as a supremely exciting youngster well worth pursuing.<\/p>\n Latest Tottenham news: Eddie Howe shortlisted \/ Ivan Toney hint<\/p>\n Meanwhile, my colleague,\u00a0TEAMtalk insider, Graeme Bailey, has exclusively revealed that Tottenham\u2019s board have discussed making Newcastle boss Eddie Howe their new manager next season.<\/a><\/p>\n Tudor isn\u2019t expected to stay beyond this term, and Howe figures highly on the shortlist, though the search is still in its early stages.<\/p>\n In other news, Ivan Toney has not ruled out returning to the Premier League from Saudi club Al-Ahli, while he\u2019s also shared his thoughts on his England chances ahead of the World Cup.<\/p>\n