Tottenham Hotspur have been keen on adding another midfielder to their team following the signing of Tanguy Ndombele for a club-record fee, and have now are closing in on signing Real Betis’ Giovani Lo Celso ahead of the 2019-20 season.
The Argentine midfielder, who only joined Betis on a permanent deal a few months ago, will move to Spurs after a fantastic season with the Primera Liga side.
According to Daily Record, Spurs have agreed a fee of €52 million and add-on of €8 million for the 23-year-old Argentine player.
Lo Celso, who previously played for Paris Saint-Germain before his switch to Real Betis, was signed by the Spanish club for a fee of €22 million in April 2019 after a successful loan spell, and Betis will make a profit of €30 million just months after signing him.
The Argentine had a great season with the Spanish club, scoring 16 goals and making 6 assists in 46 games for the club in the 2018-19 season.
Lo Celso played two seasons with Paris Saint-Germain, playing 54 times and scoring 6 goals for the club before he was sent on loan to Real Betis. The 23-year-old has also played 18 times for the Argentinian national team, scoring twice.
Who will Lo Celso replace in the Spurs lineup?
Spurs might yet lose one of their chief creative midfielders in Christian Eriksen, who declared a few months ago that he would like to leave the club to seek a new challenge.
Although Eriksen’s departure is still far-fetched, amidst reported interest from Manchester United, the Dane’s potential departure will be a blow. Manager Mauricio Pochettino only has Dele Alli as the other creative option.
This is where Lo Celso will fit in. The Argentine can play as a central midfielder or as an attacking midfielder, playing behind the central striker.
Lo Celso is a good dribbler of the ball, while also capable of moving the ball quickly in midfield and shooting from distance.
The Argentine and Alli could possibly switch positions during the game and occupy the central midfield and attacking midfield roles, while the likes of Ndombele or Harry Winks can play beside one of them.
Lo Celso seems like a direct replacement for Eriksen, and Spurs fans will hope that he can contribute as much as Eriksen did in his 6 seasons for the London club, should he leave.
