Tottenham are expected to make Giovani Lo Celso’s loan from Real Betis permanent in January.
The Argentine midfielder, 23, has struggled with injury since his deadline day move from Spain, making just three starts for the North London side.
Getty Images – Getty
Spurs look set to complete the permanent signing of Giovani Lo Celso in January.
But Betis president Angel Haro expects Spurs to activate their £27million option to buy in next month’s transfer window to avoid an obligation to pay around £34million for him in the summer.
Haro said: “Yes they will exercise the option because they are not taxed as much as if they have to exercise it in June, when the purchase becomes mandatory.
“We understand that they will exercise it, but if not we will be delighted with the player returning.”
Lo Celso would represent a ready-made midfield replacement for Tottenham‘s Christian Eriksen, who is out of contract in the summer and wanted by the likes of Manchester United.
However, it remains to be seen if Lo Celso fits into the long-term plans of Jose Mourinho, with the new Spurs boss admitting last week that he has better options to choose from.
The Special One said: “Our squad is not a big squad in numbers. And he will start for sure because it’s impossible to play all the time with the same players.
“It looks obvious the way Dele is playing, Sonny – in this moment they are one step ahead.
“I couldn’t hide from you that we have a few players one step ahead because of performance.”
Mourinho added that he did not know when the former PSG man’s form would improve, but he is likely to be called upon in the weeks to come, with Spurs gearing up for a busy festive period.
AFP or licensors
Lo Celso started Spurs’ 3-1 loss to Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
