Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham Hotspur

Premier League • England

From ‘advanced talks’ to zero as Tottenham’s Serie A transfer chase ends in disappointment

Sofyan Amrabat in action for Fiorentina

Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly failed in a bid to sign target Sofyan Amrabat after Fiorentina blocked his departure on transfer deadline day.

Tottenham were in “advanced talks” to sign the midfielder in a loan deal with the option to buy last week. Both Antonio Conte and Fabio Paratici were keen on a deal for Morocco star, who, according to Sky Sport Italia journalist Matteo Moretto, emerged on their radar earlier in the month.

The 25-year-old has impressed at the African Cup of Nations and he played in Morocco’s 2-1 quarter-final defeat to Egypt on Sunday.

But he will not be leaving the Viola. Spurs, as per Fabrizio Romano, were expected to lodge a loan offer with an option to buy for around €16m (£13.3m).

However, Fiorentina have allowed Chile midfielder Erick Pulgar to join Galatasaray on loan.

Pulgar had been struggling to get playing time under Vincenzo Italiano this season. His loan will mean that Amrabat will not be allowed to leave Florence.

Arsenal and Tottenham battling for Aston Villa midfielder

Arsenal and Tottenham battling for Aston Villa midfielder

Arsenal and Tottenham want Douglas Luiz from Aston Villa

 

It was thought that Spurs would have offload one of Tanguy Ndombele or Dele Alli – or both to get Amrabat on board. But the Serie A side have opted to offload Pulgar and keep Amrabat, as per Romano.

It means Spurs will have to look elsewhere on deadline day to bolster their midfield.

The news probably explains why Spurs have been linked with Douglas Luiz.

The Mail claims Conte is a big fan of the Brazilian midfielder, who has just 18 months left on his Aston Villa contract.


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Lo Celso wanted in Spain

Meanwhile, Villarreal are looking to sign Giovani Lo Celso on loan from Tottenham, according to reports.

Lo Celso is one of a number of Tottenham midfielders to have been facing an uncertain future in January. Along with the likes of Ndombele and Alli, his place in Antonio Conte’s plans has been unclear.

Amid dissatisfaction with his gametime, Lo Celso has been linked with a return to La Liga. A return to Real Betis, from whom Tottenham signed him in 2019, has been speculated.

But it then emerged that he could end up in Ligue 1 instead with French side Lyon.

There has been another twist, though, shifting his focus back towards Spain. Late on Sunday, talkSPORT reported that Villarreal want to sign Lo Celso on loan.