The manager of Barcelona, Xavi, feels that a star player from Tottenham who isn’t used much is underappreciated in European football, and transfer guru Fabrizio Romano said Spurs would have to be “completely crazy” to grant Barca’s request.
James Maddison’s summer acquisition gave Tottenham’s midfield a much-needed boost of inventiveness. Nevertheless, the playmaker suffered an ankle injury during the terrible 4-1 loss to Chelsea on November 6 and, according to the player, may not be able to return until February.
Giovani Lo Celso, who has made just two league starts this season, has scored in each of the last two games against Aston Villa and Manchester City, providing the necessary creative spark.
Barcelona had their sights set on Lo Celso during the summer, but their loan requests were turned down.
The Evening Standard claims that Xavi, the manager of Barcelona, isn’t willing to accept no.
Instead, after Gavi suffered a season-ending knee injury, Barca’s interest in the 27-year-old has grown.
Due to Barca’s well-known financial difficulties, a loan is only an option if they are unable to sell players first. According to The Standard, Tottenham has no plans to loan the Argentine out come next month.
Barcelona will still investigate, though, and Xavi holds Lo Celso in the highest regard, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Speaking on Kick, a streaming platform, Romano cast doubt on Lo Celso’s prospects of signing with Barcelona in the upcoming month. The reliable source emphasized that Tottenham would have to be “completely insane” to agree to Barcelona’s preferred loan arrangement given.There will soon be two more absences.
Xavi is determined to mentor Lo Celso.
Romano stated, “It was a possibility in the summer” (as reported by Football365). “In their meetings regarding the midfield position, Xavi and Deco (the Barcelona director) discussed him as one of the names.
“They talked about the opportunity to bring in Giovani Lo Celso, a player who Xavi is said to really value,” the source said.
“Lo Celso is an underappreciated midfield player with excellent skills, in Xavi’s opinion. One day, he hopes to become Gio Lo Celso’s trainer.
However, Lo Celso is a crucial player for Tottenham. He’s playing at a high level, scoring goals, and he’s doing great. He’s always taken his training very seriously and with extreme professionalism.
Tottenham is thrilled with Lo Celso, and they have consistently declined offers from loan companies during the summer transfer window.
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Romano calls Tottenham’s departure “completely crazy” due to more absences.
Son Heung-min, Yves Bissouma, and Pape Sarr’s impending departure for international duty will soon further flex Tottenham’s already thin roster.
Son will compete in the Asian Cup for South Korea. At the Africa Cup of Nations, Bissouma and Sarr will represent Mali and Senegal, respectively. Both competitions begin in mid-January and last for about a month.
Romano explained that because of Tottenham’s requirements and Barcelona’s incapacity to pay for a long-term relocation, Lo Celso is probably going to be kept in north London.
“Now that Pape Sarr and Bissouma are going to the AFCON, they have [Rodrigo] Bentancur injured, James Maddison still injured, and many players not available in that position in January,” Romano continued.
“I don’t see Barca going there and investing money for a permanent transfer of Gio Lo Celso, and I think it would be completely insane of Tottenham to accept a loan proposal for Lo Celso.”
“It is acknowledged. There’s Xavi’s appreciation. However, I don’t believe this is a fair offer for the January window.
