Erik ten Hag's appointment as the Man United manager for the start of the 2022/23 season could change things for the upcoming summer transfer window. The Red Devils are currently sixth in the Premier League table with just five games left to play, and have produced some poor performances and results in recent times.
United are battling with the likes of Arsenal and Tottenham for a spot in the top four, a position that Antonio Conte's side currently occupy. Spurs are now level on points with Arsenal, after Mikel Arteta's side secured three points at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night.
As the end of the 2021/22 Premier League season looms, so does the opening of the summer transfer window. There have already been names flying around for various clubs and Ten Hag's appointment has already ramped up some of the rumours.
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Steven Bergwijn is one Tottenham player whose future is still uncertain. The 24-year-old has made 28 appearances so far this season, scoring just four goals and registering two assists, with only four of his 21 league appearances being starts.
The Dutch international has shown his impact this season, most notably when he scored two injury time goals to secure his side three points in the thrilling 3-2 victory over Leicester. After the game, Conte gave his verdict on the attacker.
"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," the Italian admitted.
"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."
At the start of the month Conte was again asked about Bergwijn and whether the 24-year-old was part of his long-term plans. "We're talking about a player of great quality, great potential," the 52-year-old explained.
"For us, he's an important player, the type who if he starts or comes in, he can change the situation, because of a specific characteristic of superiority. Create chances for himself or the other. He has to continue to believe in himself more.
"He's a young player with great space for improvement. He has to continue to work, to improve with and without the ball. To help the team at every moment because football is a team game and you have to be ready at every moment to help the team with or without the ball," Conte added.
Bergwijn was one player who was heavily linked with a move away during the January transfer window, with Ajax seeming the most interested. During the most recent international break the Dutchman said he would "see what happens in the summer", which raises even more questions over his Spurs future.
The 24-year-old isn't quite getting the game time he would hope for under Conte, which hasn't been helped by the solid form of Son Heung-min, Harry Kane and Dejan Kulusevski. Lucas Moura is another of Tottenham's forwards that has spent a lot of time on the sideline this season.
Although the Brazilian has arguably performed at a lower level out of the duo, Moura has come on either before or at the same time as Bergwijn in Tottenham's last six games. This seems to give a clear indication as to where the Dutch international sits in Conte's pecking order.
If this lack of game time wasn't enough to make Bergwijn want to leave, Ten Hag's appointment at Man United could turn his head. Both have spent time at Ajax and although they weren't there at the same time, a couple of months ago the manager had some very positive words to say about the Tottenham man.
"We would have gotten even better with him. Then we would have had another weapon," the 52-year-old admitted. "And the more weapons you have, the more successful you can be.
"He’d have been perfect for us. I remain very interested in a player with his profile."
Ten Hag clearly sees the quality in Bergwijn and with this rebuild that Ralf Rangnick referenced just a couple of days ago, the 24-year-old could become one of the Man United new boss' priorities. The move for Bergwijn would see him move North but still play in the Premier League and under a manager that clearly rates him.
If the winger remained at Spurs and the Lilywhites are able to secure Champions League football for next season, he would be likely to get more match minutes then he currently is. Only time will tell whether not only does the Dutch international want to leave, but also whether Tottenham are prepared to let him go.
However if he remains on the sideline for the majority of the rest of the season, it may make his decision an easier one.
