Tottenham midfielder Giovani Lo Celso continues to be linked with Barcelona with speculations gaining momentum.
Recent reports indicated that Barcelona has intensified efforts to secure a replacement for the injured Gavi, who sustained a season-ending injury while on duty with Spain.
Barcelona manager Xavi, reportedly likes Lo Celso and had even eyed him as a potential summer signing to bolster the squad after Sergio Busquets’ departure.
According to SPORT, Lo Celso, who has had limited game time at Spurs, is inclined toward a January departure, seeking a change from his current situation.
The Argentine midfielder has only played 83 minutes of football this season under Ange and reportedly holds interest in returning to La Liga.
The report claims that he is in a ‘mood for a change‘ and that he would ‘welcome’ a return to La Liga.
This is backed by Mundo Deportivo’s latest report (via Last Word On Spurs) which claims that Lo Celso would move to Barcelona ‘with his eyes closed’ on loan ‘with or without a purchase option’.
It is also said that since Lo Celso holds an Italian passport, he will not be considered a non-European player which is another factor that favours the move for Barcelona.
TBH Says:
Lo Celso has struggled to secure a regular place in the Tottenham squad in recent years and has spent a significant amount of time on loan at Villarreal.
Despite impressing Ange in the pre-season, has has hardly played any league football this season.
But he may have an opportunity now to make a case for himself in the absence of James Maddison.
The former Leicester has been one of the signings of the summer for Spurs. But an unfortunate injury will now see him miss out on action until January.
Spurs who are already working on a thin squad face a dilemma in midfield due to potential AFCON absences of key players like Sarr and Bissouma in January.
This situation might prompt them to retain Lo Celso for the rest of the season but a lot will depend on their January transfer window performance.
If they are able to bring in a midfielder or two, Lo Celso could be allowed to leave.
