Tottenham have struck an extremely profitable deal with Real Betis for Giovani Lo Celso

Tottenham Hotspur did a great job of overhauling the squad and trimming the wage bill over the summer transfer window. They either released or sold the underperforming and fringe players while loaning out some youngsters for regular game time to develop.

It took until the summer transfer deadline day for the north London club to offload Giovani Lo Celso. The Argentina international had failed to live up to the lofty expectations at the Hotspur Way since arriving in the summer of 2019—initially on loan from Real Betis, managing a total of 10 goals in 108 appearances in the Tottenham shirt.

With the 28-year-old’s contract running down, Spurs were keen to cash him in rather than lose on a free transfer in 2025. Moreover, he was not part of Big Ange’s plans at the club, having not included him in the matchday squad in Spurs’ first game against newly-promoted Leicester City. Last season, the Argentinean made only four starts across 22 Premier League games, where he scored two goals and provided two assists.

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Spanish side Real Betis were keen to get their hands of Giovani Lo Celso since the start of August and they finally managed to land him permanently. The midfielder returned to Benito Villamarin last week, bringing an end to a forgettable spell at Spurs. He has signed a contract with Real Betis until 2028 (Transfermarkt).

According to Canal Sur Radio journalist Alonso Rivero, Tottenham will receive €5m plus an extra €1m each year for the next four years for Lo Celso, provided Real Betis qualify for the Champions League.

The La Liga side have paid Tottenham an initial €5m fixed fee for the Rosario-born creative midfielder. However, Alonso Rivero adds they will have to pay €1m every year that they qualify for the Champions League for the next four seasons, although this is contingent on Lo Celso playing at least half of the games.

So, Betis could end up potentially paying €9m in total for Lo Celso to Spurs should certain difficult clauses be fulfilled. The structuring of the deal could see the north London club benefit over long-term.

In addition, Spurs have also included American midfielder Jonny Cardoso as a part of the deal. They have smartly negotiated with Betis to buy Cardoso in next summer’s transfer window, with the La Liga club accepting an offer on the USA talent that can be activated with a fee of €25 million.

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Spurs have done well by offloading Lo Celso and making a future agreement with Betis for Cardoso.