Barcelona have had a difficult time signing a new midfielder this summer. Their top targets Joshua Kimmich and Martin Zubimendi have been deemed way too expensive, while Ruben Neves is on the verge of joining Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The club have also reportedly discarded the pursuit of Sofyan Amrabat recently, which has forced them to look for other alternatives in the market.
One of them is Giovani Lo Celso. The Tottenham midfielder, on loan at Villarreal, has emerged as a potential target for Barcelona this summer, as Xavi Hernandez looks to beef up his options in the middle of the park.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Lo Celso is increasingly becoming an appealing option for Barcelona. The player is rated highly by Xavi Hernandez, and even some of the board members, because of his experience at the highest level of football.
Not to mention, Lo Celso has performed well during his time on loan at Villarreal. He has emerged as a creative lynchpin for the club over the past two seasons. And Barcelona feel if Villarreal can seduce the player, so can they.
The Catalans, though, are looking for a low-cost operation. That is where Clement Lenglet could have come into the picture. Even though Tottenham recently confirmed the defender’s return to Barcelona after his loan spell, they remain interested in his permanent signing.
Another alternative for Barcelona is to loan Lo Celso for at least one season, possibly with a purchase option tied to the contract at the end of next season. A lot could depend on Tottenham’s valuation for the player, who still has a contract in North London until 2025.
