Midfielder Giovani Lo Celso may seemingly remain at Tottenham Hotspur this season, rather than be sold by the Premier League outfit.
Since making the switch to Spurs back in 2019, the playmaker has chipped in with eight goals and six assists from his 84 appearances in all competitions.
However, from January 2022 through to the end of last season, Lo Celso spent his time in Spain with Villarreal, emerging as an important player at the Yellow Submarine.
Although his progress there was hindered by injury, he was still able to make 23 outings in La Liga during 2022-23, particularly impressing during the run-in.
Lo Celso is now back at Spurs with the opportunity to impress a new manager in Ange Postecoglou, who has been appointed as the long-term replacement to Antonio Conte.
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The North Londoners are currently going through somewhat of a transitional period with regards to their squad, with Postecoglou determining who he wants to keep ahead of a season in which they will not participate in Europe.
With two years left on his contract, Lo Celso has been heavily linked with a transfer away from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with Aston Villa and Napoli said to be monitoring the situation.
Nevertheless, the 27-year-old has been provided with game time in each of Spurs' pre-season fixtures against West Ham United and Lion City Sailors, leading to Postecoglou to hint that he may retain his services.
Speaking to reporters, as quoted by the Evening Standard, the Greek-Australian said: "You can just ask me. Yeah, I like Gio.
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"He fits the way we play. I enjoy working with him and he seems to enjoy working with us."
Lo Celso netted a goal in each of the two aforementioned matches having been introduced as a half-time substitute, but his general performances have also added to the feeling that he will be kept at Spurs.
Although Spurs are well stocked for players of a similar mold, Lo Celso's versatility may prove to be beneficial throughout the campaign, particularly if Postecoglou sticks with a 4-3-3 formation.
Lo Celso also spent time representing Argentina in June, featuring in friendlies against Australia and Indonesia respectively, to further indicate that he has regained his form after returning to action in March.
Darren Plant
