Antonio Conte believes Tottenham Hotspur’s stoppage-time hero Steven Bergwijn is happy to stay at the club amid reported transfer interest from Ajax, via quotes by football.london.
Bergwijn emerged as Spurs’ saviour on Wednesday night as the Dutchman hit his first goals of the Premier League season. Conte introduced the 24-year-old off the bench in the 79th-minute away to Leicester City, before he would strike twice in the dying embers to win 3-2.
Tottenham trailed the Foxes twice after James Maddison restored Brendan Rodgers’ side’s advantage following Harry Kane’s goal. But the King Power Stadium outfit failed to hold on, with Bergwijn netting in the 95th and 97th-minutes for three-points.
Bergwijn had not scored in his prior eight top-flight games this season, of which he has only started three. The winger’s last league goal was in the 37th match of last term. The 16-cap dynamo struck his only effort of the campaign in his 20th of 21 appearances, starting 13.
Conte confident Bergwijn’s happy to stay at Tottenham
Conte is confident Bergwijn can be a key part of his Tottenham side going forward, after his heroics at Leicester. The Spurs boss also feels the winger is happy to stay in north London.
AD journalist Johan Inan has claimed that Bergwijn ‘would love to go to Ajax’, amid transfer interest from the Eredivisie giants in the Tottenham ace. Spurs are also open to selling the forward, per the Evening Standard, who note they rejected an opening £15m offer.
“In the past, when someone asks me about Steven Bergwijn, I was very clear,” Conte said. “I said that, for me, he is an important player because he has characteristics that in our squad, we don’t have many creative players.
“He is very good in one-vs-one, good to beat the man. He can play striker, he can play number 10 and for us, for me, he is an important player and we have to try to improve, to become stronger, not to lose a player and become less strong.
“Steven is a player that if he’s in good physical condition and he has good fitness, he can start the games or he can come in and change the game.
“For me, I think he’s an important player and you know very well the player has to be happy, and I think the player is happy to stay with us and play for Tottenham.”
Ajax to test Bergwijn’s happiness in north London with transfer plans
Ajax, it seems, will test Bergwijn’s happiness to be in north London with their transfer plans for the Tottenham winger. The Evening Standard add the Dutch outfit intend to return with an improved offer. Spurs also set their price, with the club hoping to recoup the £27m paid.
Bergwijn repeating his Leicester heroics when Tottenham visit Chelsea on Sunday may end Ajax’s chances of a transfer, however. Conte would likely be loath to let the 24-year-old go, just as he starts making an impact in his side.
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