Giovani Lo Celso makes Tottenham transfer stance clear after club 'talks'

Giovani Lo Celso has reportedly held talks with former club Real Betis over a return after struggling for regular game time at Tottenham.

The 28-year-old returned to the club last summer after spending 18 months on loan with Villarreal in Spain and initially struggled for pitch time earlier in the campaign. Following a bad run of injuries in November, he was handed starts in the games against Aston Villa and Manchester City, where he excelled and got on the scoresheet in both fixtures.

However, he started just a further two games and has been named as an unused substitute six times. In fact, since completing the £55million move from Betis in 2020, Lo Celso has only started 17 times for the Lilywhites.

Boss Ange Postecoglou believes that the midfielder has still contributed to the team, but suggested injuries have played a part in his performance levels. "It is not just him," he said.

"There has been a few in that boat where they just haven't had a real good run in terms of there has been injury disruptions and other times when he has been fit, other players have played in his position, but I still think Gio's been good for us this year.

"Look, he's a fantastic player, but with all these things you've got to keep the perspective that we're at a big club, we're going to have a big squad and if it is not Gio, it will be someone else that will play that role next year. No one will play every game. It doesn't happen.

"If they want more game time, there are other clubs where they can do that and I'm looking at contribution. With someone like Gio, like I said he has contributed to us this year and that's been the most important thing for me."

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According to Estadio Deportivo, the Argentinian is not happy with the lack of minutes and is considering parting ways at the end of the season. It is said he is 'willing' to return to Betis and has been in contact with the Spanish side.

He will approach the final year of his contract in the summer and Spurs will likely look for an opportunity to cash in on him. Deportivo add that Betis are keen on re-signing Lo Celso as a potential replacement for Nabil Fekir who has been linked with a move away from the club.

Betis sporting director Manu Fajardo, who previously addressed the club's reported interest in Lo Celso, told Diario de Sevilla last week: "He is a player who already showed his worth at Betis, who is now doing so with Argentina, and who is complementary to Fekir, one should not be a substitute for the other."

Lo Celso had also been linked with a move to Barcelona earlier this year. Elsewhere, Football Italia claims that Napoli could return for the midfielder in the summer transfer window.

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