Ange Postecoglou reportedly blocked a potential exit for Giovani Lo Celso as the Australian counts on the Argentine to play a role.
According to Sport via Sport Witness, Ange Postecoglou may have blocked a potential move to Barcelona for Giovani Lo Celso on deadline day. The Australian manager reportedly counts on the 27-year-old midfielder to play a role in his squad this season.
Tottenham had a solid finish to the transfer window on deadline day, as they could further strengthen their squad. Spurs made significant signings at different phases and finished the window by signing Brennan Johnson from Nottingham Forest in a £47.5 million deal.
They may have wanted a new midfielder, with Conor Gallagher linked on the last day. They could have only made a move by offloading some of their current unwanted stars, including Tanguy Ndombele and Giovani Lo Celso.
Their manager, Ange Postecoglou, likes Lo Celso and may have made it clear to the club earlier that he wanted to keep the Argentine. Yet, Spurs were open to a sale or loan with a mandatory buy clause. Neither offer arrived from anywhere, although Barcelona were reportedly considering a move.
Ange Postecoglou, happy with Giovani Lo Celso to stay at Tottenham. Positive feedback on Argentine midfielder who’s likely to continue at Spurs ⚪️🇦🇷 #THFC
It’d take an important bid to change club stance on Lo Celso in the final days. pic.twitter.com/FBEm6fm0al
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 29, 2023
Barcelona had been linked with Lo Celso this summer, but had earlier abandoned a move for the 27-year-old midfielder. However, on deadline day or thereabouts, they may have made an informal approach, but Spurs were reportedly unwilling to give the Argentine away for free.
Barcelona did make a few notable signings at the very end. They signed Joao Felix from Atletico Madrid on loan and acquired Joao Cancelo in a similar deal from Manchester City. As per reports, the Catalans did not pay anything to sign those players and may have hoped to bring Lo Celso similarly.
While Tottenham may have been open to selling the Argentine for the right conditions, Postecoglou wanted to keep him and make him part of his squad. The 27-year-old’s experience will help Spurs this season as the Australian plans to use the midfielder in a rotational role.
Hence, the report suggests that Postecoglou could have blocked an exit for the 27-year-old Argentine as he counts on the midfielder for the current season. Ever since signing for the club, Lo Celso has not experienced the right atmosphere on the pitch, and now he will hope that chances under the Australian manager.