After being heavily linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur, Argentine midfielder Giovani Lo Celso is now on Manchester United’s radar.
Real Betis’ officials have travelled to England to have discussions with Manchester United regarding the transfer of Lo Celso, and the Red Devils are now the favourites to sign the midfielder, as per Estadio Deportivo.
Lo Celso’s release clause in his contract is at £89 million, but the Spanish side are willing to let go of the midfielder for £67 million.
The Argentine has been pursued by Spurs, who even lodged a £53 million bid that was rejected by Betis.
The midfielder joined the Spanish club on loan from Paris Saint-Germain in the 2018 transfer window, and the deal was made a permanent one in April 2019 when they bought him for €22 million.
His contract with Betis expires in 2023 but Betis are willing to sell him on to make a sizable profit on a player they purchased just a few months ago.
Giovani Lo Celso – Profile
Lo Celso signed for Paris Saint-Germain for a fee of £8.5 million in 2016, and went on to make 54 appearances before his move to Real Betis in the summer of 2018.
In his only season at Betis, the midfielder impressed, scoring 16 goals and making 6 assists in 45 appearances for the club.
Lo Celso also made 10 appearances for the Argentina national side, following his debut in 2017, and is part of Argentina’s squad for the 2019 Copa America.
Manchester United should go all out for Lo Celso
Betis want to trigger a bidding war between various clubs, especially Manchester United and Tottenham, for the signature of Lo Celso.
The Spanish club have to give 20% of their profit from Lo Celso’s departure to Paris Saint-Germain, which is perhaps why they are demanding such a high fee for the player.
Regardless, the fee demanded by them is probably what players of his ilk would command in this highly inflated transfer market.
Lo Celso is also coming on the back of a great season with Betis which has resulted in such a high price tag.
A versatile player who can play in central midfield or further forward as an attacking midfielder, Lo Celso is a good dribbler, who likes to pass the ball around, and also knows where the back of the net is.
Manchester United need a player like him, especially if Paul Pogba leaves the club, which is looking more likely by the day.
The Red Devils should sign Lo Celso, who is bound to improve further in the years to come.