Mourinho confirms Tottenham intention to complete midfielder signing

Jose Mourinho has confirmed that Tottenham are very likely to sign midfielder Giovani Lo Celso on a permanent basis.

The Argentina star arrived on the final day of the summer transfer window, initially on loan but that deal will become permanent if Spurs finish in the top four and seal a place in the Champions League.

Tottenham do, however, have the option of making the move permanent in January and thus saving some money in the process.

The latest reports suggest that the north London club will indeed tie Lo Celso down to a long-term deal after some very good performances in recent weeks.

“I imagine yes, I think it is something that comes from the summer,” he told reporters at Hotspur Way when asked if the player will sign permanently. “There are some loans that they have the opportunity to be in control of the situation like is happening with Gedson.

“There are some emergency loans and there are other loans where the objective is to be in control of the future of the player without any need of further negotiations. I think Giovani is going to stay with us.”

Eased into action by former boss Mauricio Pochettino in his first few weeks at the club after his move from LaLiga, Lo Celso then had to spend over a month on the sidelines after sustaining a hip injury while on international duty in September.

Gametime was limited for the player initially under Mourinho but he has really impressed off the bench so far in 2020 against Southampton, Middlesbrough and Liverpool.

Lo Celso was then handed a rare start against the Championship side in midweek and he capped off a fine display with the first goal in the 2-1 win in the FA Cup third round replay.

Asked whether the player was tired after playing the full game, Mourinho said: “Yeah, he was, 90 minutes incredible work. Raising his levels in terms of intensity of the game and work with and without the ball. Incredible.

“Amazing kid. Quiet. Waiting for his opportunities. Opportunities are coming step by step. I am very, very happy with him.

 

“But yesterday he was tired and that is normal. But I cannot give him a rest. He has to be ready for tomorrow.

“In this moment to make selection for the squad for every match has been very easy because we have these numbers available.”

Mranwhile, Mourinho has confirmed Christian Eriksen will play when Tottenham visit Watford on Saturday, despite speculation about his future.

The Denmark midfielder is out of contract in the summer and has been heavily linked with a move to Inter Milan this month but Spurs boss Mourinho insists the Serie A club have not yet made an offer.

Speaking about Eriksen, he said: “You have to ask the agent and Inter because they know more than me.

“If they are confident it is because they are ready to make us an offer, which didn’t happen yet”. Read more…