Spanish outlet Estadio Deportivo claim that Tottenham have offered midfielder Giovani Lo Celso to Atletico Madrid this summer. Fabio Paratici is keen to offload the Argentine, to bring in some cash for more signings.
Lo Celso, 26, has failed to live up to his price tag when he joined the club during Mauricio Pochettino’s reign – initially on loan. Playing 84 times for Spurs, Lo Celso has only scored eight goals. He has a contract until 2025.
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The expectation for Lo Celso is that he would continue his journey in Villarreal. Spending the second half of last season with the Yellow Submarine, he played 22 times and helped them reach the Champions League semi-finsls.
Now, he is back at Spurs. Villarreal are offering an initial £16million, plus £5million in add-ons. But reports now claim he has been offered to Simeone and Atletico Madrid, where he would play with Argentina teammate Rodrigo De Paul.
Tottenham have offered Lo Celso to Atletico Madrid
It would, firstly, be a stunning move for Lo Celso. For a player struggling to get a game at Spurs, to reinvigorate his career at Villarreal and then join a side such as Atletico would be a very quick turn in fortune.
The issue with staying at Villarreal is that they have failed to qualify for the Champions League – or even the Europa League. They are in the Conference League. Off-putting for Lo Celso, but they are struggling to afford him, too.
Atleti finished in third, qualifying for the Champions League. Atletico makes sense – if Spurs receive offers in the region of £25million. La Liga suits him more than the Premier League, with even Antonio Conte saying he lacks “strength”.
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