The future of Giovani Lo Celso at Tottenham is still uncertain, with the summer transfer window opening just under a week ago. The Argentine spent the second half of the season on loan at Villarreal, after struggling to fit into Antonio Conte's system and get regular game time.
Lo Celso made 16 La Liga appearances, starting in seven of those matches, scoring one goal and registering an assist. After a loan spell in the 2019/20 season, the midfielder made the permanent move to N17 in early 2020 and has made 84 appearances in all competitions for the club.
However the Argentine's Tottenham chapter could be coming to an end. Lo Celso was one of three players to make the temporary move during the January window and he will return to north London this summer along with Tanguy Ndombele and Bryan Gil, but the question is, for how long?
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It is not yet clear who out of the trio, if any, will remain at Spurs, with there already being interest for the January loanees. When Lo Celso made the move to Spain at the beginning of the year, he explained his excitement to play for a club he "wanted to play for".
"I wanted to play for Villarreal. I wanted to come here and I thank the club and the board for trusting in me," Lo Celso said, at the start of February.
The 26-year-old reunited with his former coach Unai Emery and he explained why he wanted to play for Villarreal. "I’m joining a club with an attractive style. They’re a club that compete for big things.
“I know how he works as a coach and what he can bring. This is a team that plays attractive football and I identify with this playing style," he admitted.
The Spanish side finished seventh in La Liga, winning 16 of their 38 games. Lo Celso went on to speak about his positioning and that he is able to adapt to what is required of him, however this was a struggle he was facing at Tottenham, after Conte's arrival.
Villarreal CEO Roig Negueroles sung the praises of the Argentine when he made the move to the Spanish club. "He’s a player who doesn’t need an introduction," he admitted.
"He’s played for big teams and he’s an international with Argentina. The player’s desire to come to the club was key to make things happen."
Negueroles' opinion of the Tottenham man hasn't changed and on Wednesday, he gave an update on the prospect of Lo Celso staying at Villarreal. "Lo Celso is a player who has been happy here and has made us happy, so we would like to continue together," he explained, as quoted by Fabrizio Romano.
"He’s a Tottenham player and we are clearly happy with the Argentine and if he is enjoying his time at the club, he may want to make the move a permanent one too."
The Times reported (via HITC) on Tuesday that Villarreal are preparing to make an initial bid of £16million for the 26-year-old, including add-ons. According to CIES, Lo Celso is valued between £25.9 and £34.5million.
Therefore it is likely that Spurs would want more than £16million for the midfielder, based on his value. However if the club can't secure the amount they want for the Argentine, they must decide if they would accept less for a player that isn't likely to walk into Conte's regular line-up next season.
Lo Celso was struggling for match minutes when the Italian first arrived. Tottenham have now welcomed Rodrigo Bentancur into midfield, who has created a strong relationship with Pierre Emile Hojbjerg in the middle.
Oliver Skipp will return from injury, Harry Winks is likely to make an exit and other midfielders are looking likely to be welcomed. This includes Yves Bissouma, who is expected to become a Spurs player soon, as he is set to undergo his medical at Hotspur Way on Thursday.
If the current Brighton man does complete his move to N17, this is only going to add more of a battle for Lo Celso in midfield. Therefore the Argentine would be less likely to get regular football and a move may be best for both parties, whether that is at Villarreal or elsewhere.
