Tottenham Hotspur target Giovani Lo Celso may yet be on the move.
Recently-appointed Real Betis boss Rubi has admitted to El Desmarque that one of his players wants to leave – and hinted it may be Giovani Lo Celso.
Rubi has just left Espanyol to become the new Betis manager, replacing Quique Setien after a disappointing season, and it promises to be a big summer for him.
He’s already lost goalkeeper Pau Lopez to Roma, whilst Marc Bartra, Junior Firpo and of course Lo Celso are all wanted elsewhere.
Rubi spoke to the press on Monday about his squad situation, and admitted that he knows which players have the intention of staying with the Andalusians.
Rubi noted that one player wants to leave, and when asked whether the player in question is Lo Celso, he said ‘it could be’, though he would love to coach him this coming season.
“I know who does or does not have that intention,” said Rubi. “We are talking about a case in which the idea is very clear to leave. The rest are staying.”
“It could be,” he added when asked if the player is Lo Celso, “As a coach, I will be delighted if he can join in and help him do what he did last year and enjoy football,” he added.
Rubi’s hint that Lo Celso may be angling for a move will be music to Mauricio Pochettino’s ears, as Tottenham Hotspur are interested in signing the Argentinian after his 16-goal season from midfield.
The Mirror recently noted that Lo Celso is attempting to push through a move to Spurs in order to work with Pochettino, who hails from the same area in Argentina, but Sky Sports claim that a deal has stalled.
Betis may well need to cash in on Lo Celso to fund their own moves, and his desire to work with Pochettino fits in with Rubi’s comments that one player wants to leave Betis this summer, and Spurs may now be in a strong position to make their move.
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