Spurs add trickery to their midfield with signing of Giovani Lo Celso
Tottenham have signed Argentine playmaker Giovani Lo Celso from Real Betis on an initial loan with an option to buy for a reported £55m next summer.
Lo Celso has been linked with Spurs since June but the Londoners had been unable to agree fee until late in the transfer window.
Spurs sign Lo Ceslo: Five key things to know…
- Tottenham reportedly made their first offer for Lo Celso in June, not long after the Champions League final.
- A fee was unable to be agreed and Spurs moved onto other targets, signing Lyon’s Tanguy Ndombele and Leeds United’s Jack Clarke.
- However, Spurs have come alive late in the window after finally agreeing on a price for Lo Celso, thought to be £55m.
- It is unclear whether Lo Celso’s arrival means Tottenham will definitely sell Christian Eriksen by the end of the month.
- In La Liga last season, Lo Celso won more fouls (67) and completed more take-ons (63) than any Spurs player managed in the Premier League.
The 23-year-old became Tottenham’s third summer arrival following the record signing of Tanguy Ndombele from Lyon and a deal for Leeds United teenager Jack Clarke, who has returned to Elland Road on loan.
A move for Fulham starlet Ryan Sessegnon was later confirmed after the deadline.
Spurs failed to make a single signing in the previous two transfer windows but have decided to back Mauricio Pochettino in the market this summer.
In La Liga last season, Lo Celso won more fouls (67) than Lionel Messi (66) as a result of his trickery and dribbling ability – the Argentina international completed more take-ons (63) than any other Betis player in 2018/19.
He also won more fouls and completed more dribbles than any Tottenham player managed in the Premier League last term, meaning Pochettino’s midfield will instantly become more dynamic.
