Transfer Centre

Tottenham Hotspur 'open to January bids for Giovani Lo Celso'

By Andrew Delaney, Reporter | 23 September 2023

Spurs 'open to January bids for Lo Celso'

Tottenham Hotspur will reportedly listen to offers for midfielder Giovani Lo Celso in January, with the Argentine midfielder struggling to break into the side.

Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly decided they are willing to listen to offers for midfielder Giovani Lo Celso in January.

The Argentine has never nailed down a permanent place in the Spurs side since joining from Real Betis in 2019.

Lo Celso has spent the last 18 months on loan at Villarreal back in La Liga, but after a fine pre-season, he stayed put this summer.

However, with the 27-year-old struggling to break in the team's midfield, Football Insider claims that Spurs are open to offers for the player.

Lo Celso featured prominently during pre-season, scoring in games versus West Ham United and Singapore outfit Lion City, before playing 90 minutes against Barcelona.

Since the start of the season though, Lo Celso has played just 17 Premier League minutes, coming on as a late substitute against Bournemouth in August.

Manager Ange Postecoglou gave Lo Celso a start in their EFL Cup tie with Fulham last month, too, but he was withdrawn at half time.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou reacts on September 2, 2023 © Reuters

Injury may have played a part as the player has not been a part of a matchday squad since, but the chances of Lo Celso breaking into the side appear slim.

The form of recent arrival James Maddison means that his place is secure in the side, after scoring two and assisting two in his first four league games for the club.

Postecoglou also prefers a duo of Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr behind Maddison in the centre.

The preferences of the new manager has also meant that Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg has lost his place in the side.

Uruguayan midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur may also struggle to reclaim his place in the side when he returns from an ACL injury, given the form of Bissouma and Sarr.

That early-season form sees Spurs sit second only to Manchester City after five matches of the Premier League season.

The North London club face arguably their biggest test of the season so far though this weekend, when they make the short trip to the Emirates Stadium to face Arsenal on Sunday.