Tottenham told why they should think twice about selling Steven Bergwijn this summer, with Ajax ‘dawdling’

A Dutch journalist has hinted Tottenham should keep Steven Bergwijn this summer before selling him for a bigger fee in another transfer window.

Bergwijn featured in 32 matches in all competitions last season. On the surface, that doesn’t seem too bad. But he only played a full 90 minutes in two Premier League games, mainly coming on as a late substitute.

The left winger did well to score league goals against Leicester and Newcastle, despite his lack of game time. However, it seems Antonio Conte doesn’t really need him in the squad.

After all, the Italian can already rely on Harry Kane, Son Heung-min, Dejan Kulusevski and Lucas Moura in attacking areas. So a summer exit would make sense for Bergwijn.

The 24-year-old continues to impress for the Dutch national team, even if his club career is stalling. He played in all four of Holland’s recent Nations League matches, of which three ended in victory.

Plus, Bergwijn got on the scoresheet in a statement 4-1 victory over Roberto Martinez’s Belgium.

Ajax want to take Bergwijn back to the Eredivisie this summer. They believe they can tempt him into a switch by offering him the chance to become an important first-team member.

After months of rumours, however, a transfer agreement between the Dutch champions and Tottenham is yet to materialise.

Ajax ‘dawdling’ could help Spurs in Steven Bergwijn debacle

Journalist Valentijn Driessen thinks Ajax are ‘dawdling’. And the reporter reckons Spurs will be able to demand a higher price if they keep him until next year.

This could happen if Bergwijn enjoys a successful World Cup with the Netherlands and then starts to play more at club level.

“As long as you keep dawdling, that transfer price will go up, of course,” Driessen said on the Kick-Off Voetbal podcast, via Sport Witness.

“They are now saying €25million (£21.4m). But that’s not coming from Spurs, that amount. Why would Spurs sell him when they know they have a gold mine in their hands?

“He will probably also go to the World Cup, he will play at the World Cup, he is developing very well with the Dutch team.

“If he can continue that at Spurs, he might even become a basic player. So that’s a guy I don’t think you’ll get for under €30m (£25.7m).”

Bergwijn has a good chance of impressing in Qatar. He suits the national team’s system well, perhaps better than he does Spurs’.

If Spurs decide to wait until next year, then they could pick up an increased fee for the wide man. However, this will mean they will have to continue paying his wages for up to 12 more months.

Meanwhile, Spurs are reportedly leading the race to sign an impressive Bundesliga centre-back.