As expected, Tottenham Hotspur were able to find a transfer solution for Pape Matar Sarr this summer transfer window. Even though Lucas Bergvall had a horrendous start to the season and was the subject of transfer rumors, Spurs were able to convince the long term prospect to stay, even with Aston Villa, Chelsea, and especially Nottingham Forest hot on his heels.
Meanwhile, Sarr is seen as someone who does not fit how Roberto De Zerbi wants to play, and the Italian manager never even pretended to have any interest in playing him. Sarr is the No. 8 sacrificed, and he can move to Juventus permanently if he meets certain conditions to trigger an obligation to buy on his loan deal to the desperate Serie A powers.
It is easy to forget, but during the 2023/24 Premier League season, Sarr was being hyped up as the next gem Tottenham midfielder, just as Bergvall was in the 2024/25 season and Archie Gray was in the 2025/26 season.
Pape Matar Sarr is a cautionary tale
And look at how Sarr ended up, being sold not but two years later. Even though Sarr was amazing to start the 2025/26 season for both club and country, he got benched for pretty much no reason and fizzled out badly, ending up in this summer sale just before the 2026 window closed.
Tottenham Hotspur selling Pape Matar Sarr to Juventus is a reminder to Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray how quickly things change in world football. One day you are the next big thing, then two years later, you are yesterday's news and making a downgrade of a move. And yes, Juve have actually gotten to a point financially where they are seen as a downgrade and don't sign the caliber of players Spurs do like Savio and Mateus Fernandes.
Gray and Bergvall have all the potential in the world to become world class, but Spurs need to actually see that potential fulfilled. Now, they know these two midfielders are still young and growing, so they do not need to see all of that potential expressed immediately in the 2026/27 Premier League season.
But they do need to see real concrete steps in the right direction, especially from Bergvall, who began the season so poorly against Brentford that it made many Spurs fans rethink the club's stance about keeping him this summer. Sarr's sale is a cautionary tale of what happens when you don't reach that next level.
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