A permanent move to Villarreal seems to suit all parties but has apparently been “complicated”
With the club season over and not a lot of football on tv this week, we must turn our attention to summer transfers. Clubs across Europe are vying for position and trying to improve their squads ahead of what will likely be an even more congested and chaotic season than the last. Never has it been more important to sign players. That’s exactly what Antonio Conte and Spurs have been doing as of late.
However, according to The Express, Tottenham might have to pump the brakes on their summer transfer activity as they try to resolve the “complicated” situation involving Argentine midfielder Giovanni Lo Celso.
Lo Celso seems to be surplus to requirements at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as boss Antonio Conte continues to revamp his squad ahead of next season.
Having finished in the top four, Spurs will return to the Champions League next season and the Italian is attempting to build a squad capable of competing at that level.
The sale of Lo Celso had been earmarked as a potential money spinner toward that effort with Villarreal the obvious destination. Lo Celso impressed during his time in La Liga on loan in the second half of last season. Yellow Submarine boss Unai Emery picked him for every available fixture as he started 11 of 16 games.
Villarreal are keen to make his loan move permanent but CEO Roig Negueroles has voiced some concerns about the situation, telling Radio Vila:
“Lo Celso is a player who has been happy here and has made us happy, so we would like to continue together. He’s a Tottenham player and it is a very complicated operation as of now – we’re not even in talks.”
With the two clubs yet to instigate talks, this move is thought to be far from happening, which is a blow to Conte and Spurs as they could really do with that cash right now to help get more bodies in the door.
Spurs have already signed Ivan Perisic, with whom Conte worked at Inter Milan, on a free transfer. The experienced Croat winger should prove a great acquisition for The Lilywhites.
What’s more, they just signed highly-rated Brighton midfielder Yves Bissouma for around £30 with add-ons and teenage goalkeeper Josh Keeley from St Patrick’s Athletic.
Conte will want to keep the momentum going and add a fourth signing soon and any funds generated from the sale of Lo Celso could help with that, but as of yet there is no movement on this one.