Spurs to offer swap-deal for defender linked with Man Utd

Dan Butterfield
Villarreal defender Pau Torres

Tottenham could use midfielder Giovani Lo Celso in a swap deal to bring in Villarreal defender Pau Torres in the summer, according to reports.

Argentine international Lo Celso is currently on loan at Unai Emery’s side having joined them in January after struggling for minutes under Antonio Conte.


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He has impressed in his time in Spain so far and has helped Villarreal stun both Juventus and Bayern Munich and move into the Champions League semi-finals.

Football Insider are now reporting that the Spanish club are keen to make the move permanent in the summer and Spurs could look to take advantage of this by stealing one of his teammates in return.

Spain international Torres has stood out for Emery’s outfit this season, leading them to an outstanding defensive record and, of course, a surprise run deep in the Champions League.

Spurs are thought to be keen on a left-sided defender as Conte looks to mould his team to fit his three-at-the-back formation.

Torres would fit the mould and a swap deal including the out of favour Lo Celso could aid their chances of bringing the 25-year-old to north-London.

However, Spurs aren’t the only club interested in the defender, with Manchester United also thought to be looking at him as they look to solve their defensive frailties that have hampered their season.

Meanwhile, former Aston Villa forward Gabby Agbonlahor has claimed their are currently only six Spurs stars who are safe at the club.

“Wing-backs are big for Conte,” Agbonlahor told Football Insider.

“Emerson Royal I don’t think is good enough, especially going forward on the ball. Sergio Reguilon, I do like and Ryan Sessegnon is up and coming.

“Conte is going to make a lot of big changes. He’s not going to just be happy to finish in the top four, he’ll want to go for league titles, that’s what he’s used to.

“If you look at that squad, Dejan Kulusevski, Rodrigo Bentancur, Hugo Lloris, Heung-min Son, Harry Kane and Cristian Romero, apart from them nobody’s safe. Romero looks very good, very strong and very aggressive.

“The others are not title-winning players.”