Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham Hotspur

Premier League • England

Giovani Lo Celso transfer latest: Paractici offers Argentine to three clubs as new, cut-price asking price emerges

Giovani Lo Celso of Tottenham Hotspur warms up from the substitutes bench - Tottenham Hotspur v Watford, Premier League, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Tottenham are reportedly doing all in their power to move on Giovani Lo Celso this summer, having seemingly offered the player to three LaLiga suitors.

The Argentina midfielder moved to Tottenham in a £27m move from Real Betis in January 2020. However, he struggled to establish himself as a regular and Antonio Conte wasted little time in moving him on upon taking charge. Moving to Villarreal, it did not take Lo Celso long to rediscover the form that convinced Spurs to sign him in the first place.

Indeed, he played a leading role in their charge to the Champions League semi-finals. Impressing in matches against Juventus and Bayern Munich, Lo Celso appeared back to his very best.

However, Lo Celso does not have a future at Spurs under Conte. The Italian has a very defined way of playing and Lo Celso does not figure in his long-term plans.

As such, Spurs are reportedly willing to sell him depart for a bargain fee this summer.

At first, Tottenham were reportedly seeking a £25.8m (€30m) fee for his services – given them close to their money back.

However, that is a fee beyond Villarreal’s reach, leading Spurs to go back to the drawing board.

Indeed, that price was reportedly cut to just £17.2m (€20m) in a bid to attract new suitors.

Three suitors for Giovani Lo Celso

Furthermore, director Fabio Paratici has reportedly made contact with two other LaLiga clubs in Sevilla and Atletico Madrid to try and drum up interest.

Speaking to Estadio Deportivo, Villarreal chief executive Fernando Roig Negueroles claims his side also remain keen.

However, even if the new lower fee looks beyond them if a deal is to become permanent.

“We have not negotiated with Tottenham, we have not sat down with them to talk about anything for now,” Roig Negueroles states.

“We know that the player is open to continuing. But we cannot sit down to talk about such an operation without having exits.

“What is being talked about offers and so on is not true, there has been no negotiation. Nor have they offered us or asked for anything.

“As I have told you , it is a very complicated operation. They spent a lot of money on the player and it is not an easy operation at all. Without exits and with the team we have, we are not in a position to carry out that operation.”

Tottenham best to cut their losses on the star

Spurs are very rarely made mugs of in the transfer market. Like chairman Daniel Levy, Paratici is also a man who drives a hard bargain.

However, in the case of Lo Celso, he is a player that Tottenham may have to cut their losses on.

But with Villarreal struggling, so they claim, to raise the funds required, this very much looks like a game of transfer chess.

And despite lowering his fee, there is only so far Tottenham can go over his asking price.

Spurs are, as a result, trying to see if other clubs might like to take up their lower price for the player.

Lo Celso set for Spurs exit?

Lo Celso set for Spurs exit?

Giovanni Lo Celso has been on loan at Villarreal since January and they are extremely keen on making his deal permanent, with Spurs asking for £17 million for the Argentine.

And while they are keen, they may have a problem on their hands if Lo Celso only wants Villarreal.

Ultimately, Spurs may need to lower their asking price again for Giovani Lo Celso.

Indeed, a compromise on his price of just £12.9m (€15m) might be enough for Villarreal. And they can offer an incentive by including certain add-ons or even a percentage of any future sale to sweeten the deal for Spurs.

Spurs, meanwhile, look to be in the driving seat for Gabriel Jesus after trumping Arsenal with an ace card.