Djurgarden’s sports coordinator Peter Kisfaludy has revealed that Son Heung-min texted Lucas Bergvall to welcome him to Tottenham, and he explained the reasons why the midfielder decided to move to Spurs over Barcelona.
It has been well documented that Tottenham stole Bergvall from right under Barcelona’s nose during transfer deadline day.
Various reports from Spain have claimed that not only were Spurs willing to offer more money than the Catalan club but they also promised the 18-year-old that he would go straight into their first-team (Matteo Moretto).
It was even reported by Fabrizio Romano last week that Dejan Kulusevski played a key role in the teenager’s decision, speaking with him about the project underway at Hotspur Way and about working under Ange Postecoglou.
Kisfaludy has now confirmed that Kulusevski’s intervention was crucial, explaining that Postecoglou also assured the youngster that he will have a bright future at Spurs.
He told Football.London about Bergvall’s transfer decision: “It was a really tough choice. There were reports that he had already signed for Barcelona or that it was all but done but that was never the case.
“I told people here not to be so sure that he was going to sign for Barca because I knew that he really liked Tottenham and he loves the Premier League.
“Dejan had a big part in it because he met him a week ago on Monday when he was in London and they spoke for 10 to 15 minutes at the training ground. I knew at that point it would take a massive attack from Barcelona if they were going to sign him because Tottenham were the number one.
“When they went to Barcelona, Deco was fantastic with him but I think that with Xavi quitting in the summer they don’t know what coach is coming. I think that the coach at Tottenham when he spoke to Lucas told him ‘I love young talented players and if you work hard here I will give you the chance to play’.
“So I think that is really important when the head coach says that to an 18-year-old boy. I think that’s a really, really good sign and an important thing to give the player, that warm feeling that they are going to take care of you.”
Heung-min Son sent Lucas Bergvall a text
Kisfaludy revealed that much to Bervall’s delight, the Tottenham captain texted the midfielder from Qatar to welcome him to the North London side.
He added: “Even Son texted with Lucas from the Asian Cup after he signed. He texted him ‘Welcome to Tottenham’ and Lucas was so happy about it.”
Barcelona president Joan Laporta told Barca Times a couple of days ago that the teenager’s decision was simply down to Tottenham offering more money, but this assertion was rejected by Kisfaludy.
The 57-year-old said about the claim: “Laporta saying that Tottenham were offering more money and that’s why he picked Tottenham, that’s not true. It was the feeling.
“I know that Lucas has always dreamed about playing in the Premier League. I know that [was still the case] because I spoke to him before he went to London and he said ‘Peter, you know my dream is to play in the Premier League’ and his dream is coming true.”
Spurs Web Opinion
While Barca’s pull will always be huge, it would have made little sense for Bergvall to have joined the Catalan club when he had no idea who the manager at the club would be next season.
Xavi’s decision to publicly announce that he will be leaving Barca at the end of the season played massively into Tottenham’s hands in the race for the Swede’s signature.