Postecoglou inspires Tottenham U-turn for star who now won’t even ‘force’ exit to his preferred club
Ange Postecoglou Tottenham manager
Giovani Lo Celso is now willing to stay at Tottenham this summer after being won over by new head coach Ange Postecoglou, according to reports.
Tottenham haven’t seen Lo Celso in competitive action in their colours since January 2022. After 18 months on loan at Villarreal, though, he has been back with Spurs for Postecoglou’s first pre-season.
There has been an expectation that Tottenham could still try to sell Lo Celso this summer. However, he has been impressing during their preparations for the new season.
It has already led to Napoli shelving their interest after Daniel Levy decided to demand €25m for Lo Celso’s exit.
And now, an update from Mucho Deporte has revealed that Lo Celso could actually stay at Postecoglou’s disposal.
The report claims Postecoglou has been ‘delighted’ with the Argentina international so far. In turn, Lo Celso ‘feels comfortable’ with his new boss and the style of play he is implementing.
With that in mind, the attacking midfielder is ‘not going to force’ an exit from Tottenham, where he remains under contract until 2025.
He now wouldn’t even push to join Real Betis, the club from whom Tottenham signed him in 2019 and who have remained Lo Celso’s ideal next destination ever since.
Real Betis have always been aware that Tottenham would not give them Lo Celso back on the cheap, while he would also have had to become their highest earner in terms of wages. Now, their hopes of taking him back have suffered another blow.
Tottenham pursuit abandoned for West Ham reunion
Consequently, their manager Manuel Pellegrini has identified an alternative, who also comes from the Premier League.
According to Mucho Deporte, Pellegrini is plotting a reunion with Pablo Fornals after their time together at West Ham.
Fornals would still be worth more than €20m, but it would be a more achievable sum than what Tottenham would be asking for to give up Lo Celso.
West Ham only have Fornals under contract for one more year, which might make them have to consider any advances from Real Betis.
Pellegrini’s side will be in the Europa League next season, just like West Ham. Tottenham, on the other hand, have no European involvement on offer, but Lo Celso seems to be confident they can head in the right direction in their new era and so he wants to be a part of it.
