According to widespread reports in the English media, Tottenham Hotspur could finally put an end to the transfer saga of Giovanni Lo Celso as they are close to reaching an agreement with La Liga side Villarreal for the midfielder.
The Argentine has not had the best of times in his career since joining the North-London club from Real Betis in the summer transfer window of 2019. He did not live up to the expectations that everyone were hoping and hence he spent last season on loan back in La Liga with Villarreal. But last season was different as he surely impressed Unai Emery and hence now the coach is looking to sign him permanently.
Unai Emery keen on getting Lo Celso
The La Liga side is keen to bring him back for another season-long loan, however this time Spurs would put a clause in the deal of an ‘obligation to buy’ for Villarreal in the summer of 2023. Lo Celso has already been left out of the pre-season tour and he has also not been featured in the squad at all in their opening league game against Southampton.
This clearly indicates that Antonio Conte has no plans to utilize the midfielder in his team who cost the club an astronomical amount of 55 Million Euros just 3 seasons ago when they signed him permanently after an impressive loan spell.
Now according to the Spanish reports, it is believed that Spurs would be willing to accept an ‘obligation to buy’ clause of around 20-25 Million Euros, however as of Villarreal are not interested to pay that much amount for the Argentine.
But Spurs do have other options cause Serie A side Florentina are also in the race to sign the midfielder and Lo Celso is their priority transfer target for this summer. All in all, it would be interesting to see whether or not Spurs can agree on a deal with either of these 2 clubs.
