Tottenham ‘get tough’ as transfer hangs on ‘totally unexpected sale’ at Barcelona
Giovani Lo Celso is ready to leave Tottenham this summer but the north London club are demanding a permanent transfer, according to reports.
The Argentina international has made 84 appearances for Spurs since joining the Premier League club from Real Betis for around €60m in 2019.
Lo Celso has spent the last 18 months on loan at Spanish side Villarreal and now the midfielder is looking to depart again before the end of the transfer window.
The 27-year-old has played just 16 minutes of Tottenham’s opening three Premier League matches this season and he’s unlikely to get into Ange Postecoglou’s side.
And now Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo insists that Lo Celso ‘wants to leave’ the north London club this summer but that the ‘only option’ is to leave permanently.
That might suit Lo Celso but Barcelona would struggle to pay for a permanent deal unless they pushed through a ‘totally unexpected sale’ before the transfer deadline.
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The report adds that Tottenham now ‘get tough’ with the Premier League side not prepared to sanction a loan move as things stand.
Spurs have started the season well under Ange Postecoglou with two 2-0 wins over Manchester United and Bournemouth after their opening day 2-2 draw against Brentford.
And former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson has been impressed by what he’s seen of the new Harry Kane-less Tottenham on show.
Merson told Sky Sports: “Tottenham have started well. I do like the manager, and they’re playing entertaining football. The so-called ‘Tottenham way’, although I’m not quite sure what that is because they never win anything, but it’s more enjoyable to watch.
“I said originally they wouldn’t finish in the top half – but I know someone who travels home and away to watch Spurs and he said they’ll be a better team without Harry Kane. Three games in he’s not wrong.
“That might not be Kane, it might be the manager – I like him, he’s very good. I don’t see them finishing inside the top four, because it’ll be ups and downs with the way they play, but it’s going to be a better watch.
“Kane is obviously that good there is no direct replacement, but they do need someone in. Maybe they wait until January and go for Ivan Toney. If they’re not in the top-four race in January I doubt they’ll spend big until the summer, when they’ve assessed the first season under Ange Postecoglou.”