Giovani Lo Celso (Getty Images)
As per Calcio Mercato (h/t Football.london), Juventus are interested in signing Tottenham star Giovani Lo Celso ahead of the new campaign.
Lo Celso moved to North London just less than twelve months back but has come under the radars of new Juve boss Andrea Pirlo. The report suggests that the Italian giants have tracked the Argentine midfielder from during his time at Real Betis.
Born in Argentina, Lo Celso came through the ranks of Rosario Central’s youth system and move to Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2016. However, he spent most of the time of his PSG career on loan spells. After making 54 appearances for the French giants, he was signed by Betis initially on loan in August 2018.
In his one season in Spain, he excelled with 16 goals and 6 assists across all competitions and Tottenham signed him one month after his move to the Spanish outfit was made permanent. Though he initially struggled with injuries and lack of form in North London, he has gone on to become a key figure in the middle of the park under Jose Mourinho.
At the moment, the Lilywhites have a plethora of midfield talents in their ranks. Harry Winks has been ever-present and has done a decent job. Moussa Sissoko’s return from injury has been a massive boost to the squad and the signing of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg has added depth to the squad.
However, summer signing Tanguy Ndombele has been a shadow of himself since his arrival in North London. The Frenchman was supposed to lead their midfield but hasn’t settled to the conditions of the Premier League and has fallen down the pecking order.
And Portuguese youngster Gedson Fernandes is on loan from Benfica. He would return to his parent club once his loan spell comes to an end next summer.
Last month, the Guardian suggested that Tottenham are willing to sell Ndombele and if that happens, their numbers in midfield would be reduced. Thus, keeping hold of Lo Celso would be a wise decision by the club.
The Argentine showed his best in the last few weeks of the 2019/20 campaign and if he continues with the good form, he could be a useful player in Tottenham’s midfield in the future.
He is capable of operating in a deeper role and also in an advanced position equally well. Though his numbers may not be among the best, he has been preferred ahead of the others by the manager and seems to have settled to the conditions in English football.
With Ndombele’s future uncertain with the club, keeping hold of Lo Celso could prove to be helpful in the future. The Argentine is just 24 and has a huge future ahead of him. And Tottenham should be able to enjoy his best, which is yet to come, by avoiding any exit for him.