‘It’s a shame of course’; Tottenham star plots summer exit to find ‘solution’

Steven Bergwijn has admitted his frustration at a lack of playing time and hinted that he could look to leave Tottenham in the summer.

The 24-year-old joined Spurs in January 2020, with the north Londoners paying PSV a reported £26.7m for his signature. Injury marred his first months in north London, with an ankle problem ending his season on March 20 that year. But, even when fit, successive managers have generally overlooked the Netherlands international.

He made 13 starts among 23 Premier League appearances in 2020-2021. And the winger has been given the nod just four times among 22 league outings this term.

He has been linked with a move to Manchester United after Erik ten Hag takes the reins. The Amsterdam-born star is under contract at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium until the summer of 2025.

But he does not feel Antonio Conte is going to alter his attacking formation anytime soon.

“A place in the starting line up? Here? I honestly don’t think so,” he told Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad. “The attack works well, but I don’t get to play much.”

Bergwijn has enjoyed 79 outings in all competitions, scoring eight goals for Spurs to date. But he has played only a bit-part this season.

And he added that “It’s important to me that I’m going to get to play now”.

Bergwijn has earned 18 caps for his nation, scoring five goals. And despite a lack of action domestically, he has been selected twice for Oranje this year, scoring three goals.

He bagged twice against Denmark and also scored against Germany during March’s international break. Ajax reportedly had a bid rejected in January.

Other clubs have also been linked. But the talented wide man admits moving to Holland would be welcome if it helps his international prospects for