Report: Barcelona targeting player who didn’t play a minute for Spurs last season

Giovani Lo Celso has emerged as a shock transfer target for Barcelona, but the Spanish side will only make a move for the Tottenham midfielder if they secure other targets first.

Despite arriving in North London in 2020 with a big price tag and even bigger expectations, Lo Celso has never quite lived up to the hype during his Spurs career.

The Argentine midfielder has 84 appearances under his belt for Tottenham (Transfermarkt), but has spent the last 18 months on loan with La Liga side Villarreal.

Lo Celso made 29 appearances for Villarreal this season, contributing two goals and three assists (Transfermarkt).

With his loan deal now at an end, the 27-year-old will return to Tottenham Hotspur and assess the options for his next move.

Telegraph journalist Matt Law recently claimed told the Last Word On Spurs YouTube channel that he believed Giovani Lo Celso would be open to attempting to get his career with Tottenham back on track if given the chance.

Barcelona hold an interest in Tottenham’s Lo Celso

However, the latest report from Mundo Deportivo suggests Lo Celso may have another option on the table in the form of a move to Barcelona.

Apparently, Lo Celso is “very much to Xavi Hernandez’s liking” and he could end up being an option for the Catalan side this summer.

With Sergio Busquets leaving the club, midfield reinforcements are needed for Barcelona, but Lo Celso is thought to be seen as more of a “playmaker” than a defensive addition in the style of Busquets.

Xavi is reportedly “keeping a close eye” on Lo Celso at this stage, with Ilkay Gundogan believed to be the priority as well as a defensive midfielder.

Should Barcelona fulfil those two signings, attention is then likely to turn to Lo Celso, as the player Xavi “likes most” out of his other targets.

Spurs Web Opinion

I can totally see Lo Celso signing for Barcelona and actually being quite a successful addition to their squad. Sadly, I just don’t think he is quite suited for the Premier League, but I wouldn’t be against seeing him get one more chance at Spurs.