Barcelona will not sign Argentine playmaker Giovani Lo Celso from Tottenham after failing with an approach over a loan move.
According to a report by Spanish outlet SPORT, Giovani Lo Celso has been a top target for Barcelona this summer. But the Blaugrana recently failed with an approach over a loan move for the 27-year-old playmaker. And with Tottenham keen on selling him permanently, a deal in the ongoing transfer window is unlikely.
Giovani Lo Celso has failed to live up to the billing since joining Tottenham from Real Betis three years ago. The Argentine international had a solid loan stint during the 2019/20 season before completing a permanent move in a deal worth €32 million. But he has blown hot and cold since then while spending the last 18 months on loan at Villarreal.
The 27-year-old enjoyed a memorable loan stint with Villarreal. But he has not joined another club on a permanent deal this summer, returning to Tottenham. And amid uncertainties surrounding his Tottenham future, the player needs a solution in the coming days. Barcelona seemed ready to give Lo Celso an escape route out of the North London club.
Widespread reports in July claimed that Lo Celso was Barcelona’s priority target heading into the final month of the summer transfer window. But talks between the Blaugrana and Tottenham have not progressed as well as the former would have liked. And amid stalling negotiations for Clement Lenglet, it did not help Barcelona’s case.
Nonetheless, the Argentine playmaker has remained a top target for Barcelona. And with Franck Kessie moving to Saudi Arabia, the versatile Lo Celso is the ideal candidate to bolster the Catalan club’s midfield unit. But a summer move will not see the light of day after Tottenham rejected Barcelona’s approach.
The Blaugrana looked to sign the out-of-favour Tottenham playmaker in a loan deal this summer. But the North London giants want to recoup as much of the €32 million they paid to secure his services three years ago. And a price tag of €10-15 million seemed fair to sell the 27-year-old.
But after failing with their loan approach, the reigning La Liga champions are moving on from Lo Celso. And unless things change drastically in the coming days, the Argentine international will not swap Tottenham for Barcelona in the summer transfer window.
