Tottenham Hotspur should look at Paris Saint-Germain ace Giovani Lo Celso.
Tottenham Hotspur have already struck two deals with Paris Saint-Germain in recent times, landing right back Serge Aurier and winger Lucas Moura – but they should consider another.
Spurs endured frustration in the summer transfer market as they couldn’t bring in a single signing to boost Mauricio Pochettino’s squad, and must now wait until January for reinforcements.
Pochettino and co are no doubt already looking for potential targets for 2019, and he should be looking to strike another deal with PSG, a third in four transfer windows.
L’Equipe reported earlier this week that PSG are making midfielder Giovani Lo Celso available for transfer and will listen to all offers, though his release clause stands at €40million (£36million).
Lo Celso, 22, played 47 games under now-Arsenal boss Unai Emery last season but seemingly isn’t fancied under new boss Thomas Tuchel, and will be available to sign as PSG continue to look for funds for fringe players.
The Argentinian has attributes that Spurs are looking for; Lo Celso plays either as a central midfielder or as a number 10, has outstanding technique, can dictate the play from deep with his passing range and can drive through midfield just like Mousa Dembele, whilst being left-footed also lends itself to replacing Dembele in terms of balance.
He may not be a powerhouse like Dembele, but he can go past players in the middle of the pitch, something Spurs will need if Dembele moves on when his contract ends next summer, and he isn’t afraid of doing the defensive side of the game either.
Lo Celso came up through the ranks with hometown club Rosario Central, very close to Pochettino’s hometown of Murphy in Santa Fe, and the Spurs boss should be very familiar with what his compatriot can do on the ball.
At just 22, Lo Celso has his best years ahead of him and could thrive in a more important role at Spurs, giving Pochettino another playmaking midfielder and a possible heir to Dembele in midfield.
One concern would be adding another non-homegrown player to their Champions League squad, but with Fernando Llorente, Georges-Kevin Nkoudou and Toby Alderweireld all linked with exits, there may yet be room for another signing.
With PSG keen to sell, Spurs may be able to negotiate a lower fee, just as they did with Aurier and Moura, and if Tuchel really is willing to cash in, then Spurs should be ready to land a very gifted midfielder.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
