According to the print edition of Diario de Sevilla (as relayed by Sport Witness), Tottenham Hotspur have told Real Betis to pay between €10m and €15m (£8.5m-£12.7) for Giovani Lo Celso this summer.
Over the past few weeks, several Spanish outlets have credited Betis with an interest in re-signing Lo Celso, who they sold to Tottenham back in 2019, with Diario de Sevilla now being the latest publication to provide an update on the matter.
Lo Celso has a year left on his contract at Tottenham
The report says that the La Liga side would first have to sell Nabil Fekir before they push ahead with a move for the Tottenham man as they expect the 30-year-old’s sale to fund the operation.
It is explained that even though Lo Celso has been relegated to a bit-part role at N17, Ange Postecoglou’s men are looking for a fee of around €10m and €15m (£8.5m-£12.7) to part ways with the player.
Tottenham want at least £8.5m to sell Giovani Lo Celso
However, it is pointed out that the Argentine has just a year left on his contract and that could work in Betis’ favour during the negotiations. It is also suggested that the 28-year-old is keen to leave Tottenham as he has not had an important role under Postecoglou.
This report comes just a couple of days after El Mira claimed that the two clubs have had ‘official meetings’ regarding Lo Celso, with the midfielder said to be the ‘main objective’ for Manuel Pellegrini’s men this summer.
Lo Celso started just six matches across all competitions for Tottenham last season, with injuries having played a part in stopping him from having a chance to hold down a regular place in the team (transfermarkt).
Spurs Web Opinion
The reported fee is certainly not an excessive demand from Tottenham, with Lo Celso proving that he is a very useful player in the right system.
Spurs might even decide to wait until after the Copa America to sell the midfielder as a couple of decent displays for Argentina in the tournament could push his price up.
Lo Celso is much more suited to the style of football in Spain and previously impressed during his stints at Villarreal.