Erik ten Hag is reportedly weighing up a move for Tottenham forward Steven Bergwijn after he joins Manchester United in the summer.
According to a report from Daily Mail, Manchester United are preparing for next season, with Erik ten Hag dropping his transfer wishlist. The Ajax manager is expected to replace Ralf Rangnick as the Manchester United head coach this summer, hoping to restore the club’s lost glory since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson.
One of the players ten Hag desperately wants at Manchester United is Antony. But it appears the Dutchman has also his sights on Steven Bergwijn, who was a target for his Ajax team in the January transfer window. While Tottenham blocked his exit earlier this year, ten Hag believes he can bag his services in the summer, this time at Old Trafford.
Bergwijn has been a part of Tottenham since the start of 2020. He joined the club in a deal worth €30 million following explosive performances at PSV Eindhoven. Unfortunately, the Dutchman has not been able to replicate his display in the Premier League. In 78 competitive appearances for Spurs, the winger has netted only eight goals, often struggling with form and lack of consistency.
In light of his poor performances, the 24-year-old has fallen down the pecking order, especially after the January arrival of Dejan Kulusevski. The on-loan Juventus forward has been a major success at Tottenham so far, with many expecting the Lilywhites to secure his services permanently in the summer.
Kulusevski’s permanent deal could come at the expense of Bergwijn’s sale. The former PSV starlet has been given the green light to depart from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with the player valued at around €25 million. Arsenal are among the clubs to have expressed their desire to sign the explosive forward, but it appears they are set to face stiff competition from Manchester United.
Erik ten Hag has never worked with Bergwijn during his coaching career. But the 52-year-old is well aware of the Tottenham outcast’s qualities and could extract the best out of him at Old Trafford. His meagre price tag of just €25 million could make him a potential bargain, given the player’s experience at the highest level of football.
Bergwijn, though, is not Manchester United’s only option in the market, with the Red Devils also targeting a move for Everton superstar Richarlison. The Brazilian could be far more expensive than the Tottenham outcast, but Everton’s potential relegation could significantly change that equation, meaning Manchester United can keep their options open.
