It was 2011, and Luka Modric had his heart set on a move to Chelsea.
Harry Redknapp dismissed the Blues’ £22 million offer as “ridiculous,” but there was no doubt about it—Chelsea were dead set on prising the midfield maestro away from Tottenham. Modric had even handed in a transfer request to force through a switch to Stamford Bridge.
In the end, Chelsea came up empty-handed. Modric stayed at White Hart Lane for another season before joining Real Madrid the following year. A classic case of the one that got away—now 40, the Croatian is remembered as one of the finest players of his generation.
Fast forward to today, and Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea are out for redemption. But before they can settle that old score, they’ve got some internal business to sort out first.
Chelsea in Talks to Sign Spurs Midfielder
Chelsea are expected to challenge for top honours year in, year out—they’re one of the biggest clubs in the world, after all.
But last season told a different story. A dismal 10th-place finish in the Premier League has left them with a mountain to climb. Marc Cucurella has already been sold to Real Madrid, and Enzo Fernández could be next out the door.
An exodus was always on the cards—without European football to offer, Chelsea were always going to struggle to keep hold of their top names. Still, if Fernández does leave, the BlueCo hierarchy will need to bring in a worthy successor.
Enter the new Modric?
According to Football Insider, Chelsea are going head-to-head with Aston Villa for Tottenham outcast Lucas Bergvall, who is determined to find a new club this summer.
The Blues have already tried their luck with the Swedish prodigy before—they made a move during the January window, only to be knocked back by Spurs. But now, with Bergvall valued at around £50 million, a deal could be back on the table. Nottingham Forest are also said to be keen.
Bergvall hasn’t had the consistent game time he feels he deserves at Spurs—and in that sense, a move to Chelsea could mirror Cole Palmer’s own breakout story.
Why Bergvall Could Be Chelsea’s New Palmer
Currently away with Sweden at the World Cup, the 20-year-old has been one of the few bright sparks in a turbulent spell for Tottenham.
He joined Spurs from Djurgårdens in January 2024, famously choosing them over Barcelona—proof that his potential has been recognised from the start.
For Bergvall, Chelsea could be the perfect next step.
Stylish, progressive, and technically gifted, he has the tools to follow in Palmer’s footsteps—leaving a club where minutes were hard to come by and becoming a genuine star elsewhere.
This wouldn’t be the first time Chelsea have raided a Premier League rival for a rising talent. In 2023, Mauricio Pochettino brought Palmer to the Bridge from Manchester City for £42.5 million, and the rest is history.
Jamie Carragher even called Palmer “the best player in the Premier League” during the 2024/25 season. And while his form dipped last year, the 24-year-old remains one of Europe’s most feared attacking midfielders.
Bergvall operates in a deeper role than Palmer, but he shares that same maturity beyond his years—and could become just as influential for Chelsea.
The Athletic’s JJ Bull has already compared his touch and skill to Modric himself. If Alonso can land him, he’d be getting one of the most exciting young players in the world—someone whose development has been held back by Spurs’ wider struggles.
In his debut Premier League season, no one matched Palmer for goal involvements. Bergvall may not hit those heights straight away, but he could still make a huge impact—especially if he’s stepping in for Fernández. Last season, he completed 62.5% of his dribbles in the league, while also ranking highly for tackles won and clearances.
He’s got the makings of a complete midfielder—and for a Chelsea side in transition, he could be exactly what they need.
Bergvall may not be the finished article just yet, but there’s more than a hint of Modric about him. And with Aston Villa also preparing a bid, Chelsea know they can’t afford to let this opportunity slip.
