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 recently rejected their pursuit of Sofyan Amrabat, forcing 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 strengthen his options in the middle of the park.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Lo Celso is becoming an increasingly attractive option for Barcelona. Xavi Hernandez and even some board members rate this player highly because of his experience at the highest level of football.
Not to mention Lo Celso did well during his loan spell at Villarreal. In the last two seasons, he proved to be a creative pillar of the club. And Barcelona feel that if Villarreal can seduce players, so can they.
However, the Catalans are looking for a low-cost operation. This is where Clement Lenglet could enter the picture. Although Tottenham recently confirmed the defender’s return to Barcelona following his loan spell, they are still interested in signing him permanently.
Another option for Barcelona is to loan Lo Celso for at least one season, possibly with an option to buy tied to the contract at the end of next season. Much could depend on Tottenham’s assessment of the player, who is still under contract in north London until 2025.