Ajax have reportedly not given up hope of signing Tottenham Hotspur winger Steven Bergwijn before the end of January.
The Dutch giants have been interested in the player earlier this month, but the 24-year-old’s contribution in a Premier League fixture at Leicester City changed the dynamics of the situation.
(Getty Images)
Bergwijn scored twice in added-on time, earning Spurs the most dramatic 3-2 victory and seemingly convincing the club to retain his services.
Conte said on Bergwijn: “In the past when someone asks me about Steven Bergwijn, I was very clear.
“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.
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.”
However, according to The Athletic, Having had a bid of around €18 million (£15 million) rejected earlier in the month, they are understood to be willing to go up to around €22 million (£18.3 million) approximately £8m less than Spurs paid for the player in 2020.
Bergwijn, 24, was the first permanent signing of Jose Mourinho’s tenure in January 2020 but could be the first departure under Antonio Conte, if Ajax return with a sufficiently improved offer.
Bergwijn, who was born in Amsterdam, came through the ranks at Ajax before joining their rivals PSV in 2011, and is thought to be open to a return to the Eredivisie champions after two frustrating years in the Premier League.
Bergwijn’s tenure at Spurs has been dogged by unfortunate injuries that have kept him sidelined for what feels like more often than not since joining from PSV last January. He hit the ground running, scoring on his debut in a win over Manchester City, but has struggled since then.
Steven Bergwijn on his debut (Getty Images)
Spurs, however, would be reluctant to allow Bergwijn to leave until they have signed a replacement, particularly with Heung-min Son currently sidelined with a hamstring injury until at least the end of the month.