Barcelona has reportedly been informed of the potential asking price to secure the services of Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Giovani Lo Celso in future transfer negotiations. The Argentine midfielder has returned to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after spending approximately 18 months on loan at Villarreal.
Initially, it appeared likely that Lo Celso would depart North London, despite showing promise in a couple of preseason outings. However, his 2023-24 season got off to a frustrating start, with just 61 minutes of playing time in the Premier League and EFL Cup, partly due to a hamstring injury sustained earlier in the campaign. As a result, he has not featured in the last three Premier League squads.
Despite his limited involvement, Tottenham has been performing well under newly-appointed head coach Ange Postecoglou, which has raised the possibility that Lo Celso might not have a long-term future at the club.
According to reports from Sport, the Premier League giants have already set a potential asking price of €15 million (£13 million) for the January transfer window. With Lo Celso under contract until 2025, Spurs may feel justified in seeking that valuation, although much could depend on the midfielder’s playing time leading up to the transfer window.
Last season, Lo Celso completed the full 90 minutes only three times in 22 appearances for Villarreal, primarily due to a mid-season injury that sidelined him for four months. Real Betis, where Lo Celso produced the best form of his career, is reportedly the most interested party at the moment.
However, Barcelona’s manager, Xavi, is closely monitoring the situation, recognizing that Lo Celso could represent a savvy acquisition, especially given the financial challenges the Catalan club is currently facing. The report also suggests that the recent arrival of Joao Felix could complicate matters, as the Portuguese international occupies a significant portion of the club’s outgoing resources.
While Aston Villa expressed interest in Lo Celso during the summer transfer window, former Villarreal manager Unai Emery has since shifted his focus to other transfer targets.
