Tottenham are reportedly readying an offer for Diego Carlos and could include cash plus wantaway midfielder Giovani Lo Celso as part of the deal.
According to Football Insider, Tottenham are stepping up their efforts to sign Sevilla centre-back Diego Carlos, preparing a player plus cash offer for the Brazilian defender. Spurs are willing to include wantaway midfielder Giovani Lo Celso as part of the deal to tempt the La Liga side to sanction Carlos’s sale.
Tottenham are ready to use the winter break and make headway in their pursuit of preferred targets in the market. Antonio Conte has been desperate to strengthen his squad this month, but Spurs have not signed any new players yet.
They have been linked with Adama Traore for weeks, who Conte wants to use as a right wing-back. While the wide position is considered a priority by the Italian manager, Tottenham are also open to taking an opportunity to strengthen their squad if it presents itself in the January window.
One such opportunity appears to have presented itself in the form of centre-back Diego Carlos, who is ready to leave Sevilla by the end of this month. Newcastle United have been chasing him relentlessly this month and are not prepared to give up on their pursuit. Having had at least one bid knocked back by the La Liga outfit, the Magpies are expected to make another push before the deadline.
Tottenham’s interest in Carlos was reported recently, which is not surprising considering Conte would like to upgrade his central defensive options. Spurs have missed summer signing Cristian Romero for the best part of Conte’s reign due to a hamstring injury, although the Argentine is expected to return soon.
Bringing in Carlos will help Conte shore up his three-man backline with players like Japhet Tanganga, Davinson Sanchez and Ben Davies not being to the Italian’s liking.
The biggest challenge in signing the Brazilian defender is Sevilla’s reported valuation. While Newcastle United are expected to come close to paying £50 million if they continue their pursuit, Spurs may look away if it is just a cash deal of that size.
The north Londoners are prepared to make a cash plus a player offer to Sevilla, with wantaway midfielder Giovani Lo Celso included in the deal. The nature of this move is similar to the one Tottenham offered to the La Liga giants for youngster Bryan Gil, wherein Erik Lamela went the other way.
The Andalusian club have made their intentions clear with their demands, although Lo Celso might be of interest to Sevilla. Los Nervionenses may still wait on Newcastle’s push for Carlos until the end before making a final decision.
The Diego Carlos transfer saga might go down the wire with multiple outcomes possible. Tottenham are certainly an attractive destination as they would feel the Brazilian would improve their chances of finishing in the top four. At the same time, Newcastle are still considered front-runners for the defender due to their ability to pay £50 million to sign him.