Tottenham's Young Talents: Bergvall Secure, Sarr Uncertain

Roberto De Zerbi has drawn a clear line in the sand over one of Tottenham’s most talked-about youngsters – and left the door wide open over another.

Bergvall going nowhere

Lucas Bergvall has been trailed by transfer speculation all summer, but De Zerbi could not have been firmer when asked if the midfielder would still be at Spurs after the window shuts on September 1.

“Lucas Bergvall, 100 per cent,” he said, without blinking. The Italian revealed the pair spoke “a lot” in pre-season and made it clear he sees the Swede as central to his plans: “He’s a top player with top potential player. I think now that he wants to stay and we have no problem.”

For all the noise around him, Bergvall’s immediate future looks nailed down in north London.

Sarr’s future less certain

The picture is very different for Pape Matar Sarr. The midfielder has attracted strong interest from Brentford and is now the subject of a determined push from Galatasaray, who are trying to tempt him to Turkey.

De Zerbi acknowledged both Sarr’s quality and the uncertainty around his situation. The Senegal international reported back later than most this summer.

“For Pape, he started pre-season late because he started in Senegal until first week in August, I think,” De Zerbi explained. “He’s a good player. I don’t know if he stays or not. We have to analyse the situation. But he is another very, very important player.”

Tottenham, then, face a decision. Cash in on a wanted midfielder or keep a key asset in a season of change under a new head coach.

Moore and the academy wave

Out wide, 19-year-old Mikey Moore sits at a different crossroads. Tipped for another loan after spending last season at Rangers, the winger is being watched closely by De Zerbi and his staff.

“I am happy with Mikey Moore,” the Italian said. “He is working well. He is a good player. I don’t know or not if he goes on loan. He has big potential for the club.”

That theme runs through the rest of Tottenham’s emerging talent pool. De Zerbi namechecked Luca Williams-Barnett and Malachi Hardy in the same breath, placing them alongside Moore as part of a promising academy crop.

“Big potentials. We’re proud they come from our academy,” he added.

One youngster is locked in, another is being courted hard, and a clutch of academy products wait to see where the club sends them next. Tottenham’s summer isn’t just about who arrives – it’s about which of their own they choose to build around.