Don’t let those ‘mate’-a-minute press conferences fool you. Tottenham Hotspur’s head coach is as ruthless as they come.
Ange Postecoglou may only be 12 months into his Tottenham Hotspur career – well, 12 months exactly, today the anniversary of his arrival from Celtic in 2023 – but the straight-talking Aussie has wasted no time in putting his own stamp on this Spurs squad.
In the last year, Ivan Perisic, Eric Dier, Harry Winks, Davinson Sanchez, Lucas Moura, Tanguy Ndombele, Hugo Lloris have all said their goodbyes.
Ryan Sessegnon also announced his departure on Wednesday. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Bryan Gil and co are expected to follow, Postecoglou insisting towards the end of a promising first Premier League campaign that further exits will be required if reinforcements are to arrive in their place.
And while Postecoglou is an admirer of Giovani Lo Celso, he will not stand in the Argentine’s way either should an offer arrive that suits all parties.
Giovani Lo Celso likely to leave Tottenham Hotspur
“Look, he’s a fantastic player,” Postecoglou said of a £27 million man who started only four top-flight games in 2023/24. “But with all these things you’ve got to keep the perspective that we’re at a big club, we’re going to have a big squad. And, if it is not Gio, it will be someone else that will play that role next year.
“If they want more game-time, there are other clubs where they can do that.”
With only 12 months left on his contract, the former Paris Saint-Germain prospect will leave North London for a mere fraction of the fee Spurs paid when under the control of Jose Mourinho.
There will, however, be no Real Betis homecoming for a man who played the best football of his career in the green-and-white of the La Liga outfit.
“I understand that the market is beginning and (the speculation surrounding) Gio is recurring,” Betis president Angel Haro tells El Correo. “Why? Because we all have the image and this memory of the good year he had at Betis.”
Lo Celso scored a career-best 16 goals for Los Verdiblancos in 2018/19, joining Tottenham on an initial loan deal that following summer.
Real Betis rule out bringing back former La Liga favourite
“There really isn’t any right now,” Haro adds when asked about the chances of Lo Celso’s return. “Nor have Betis made any approach to Tottenham, nor do we have an offer on the table.”
Haro also ruled out the prospect of another emotional Betis homecoming. Dani Ceballos, Real Madrid’s one-time Arsenal loanee, will not be donning green-and-white any time soon again either.
“They are players that all the fans like, but there is nothing,” he says. “The chances of Dani playing this year at Betis are remote.”
Lo Celso did step in effectively for James Maddison when the playmaker picked up a long-term injury in the middle of last season, scoring against Aston Villa and in that 3-3 draw with Manchester City. After turning 28 in April, however, another year on the bench is unlikely to appeal to a man who was denied a move to Serie A outfit Lazio last summer.
In terms of incomings, Tottenham are prioritising a striker and a central midfielder. Santiago Gimenez of Feyenoord, HITC have been told, is their leading target for the number nine spot. There is a long-standing interest in Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher too, though Aston Villa are now making a move of their own.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
