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Tottenham set to complete £45m Giovani Lo Celso transfer coup as Betis agree to slash midfielder’s asking price
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TOTTENHAM have edged closer to landing Real Betis midfielder Giovani Lo Celso for a knockdown £45million.
The Spanish club had been holding out for £60m for the Argentine international.
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But they will now accept the lower bid after landing his replacement Nabil Fekir from Lyon for £22.6million.
As usual, Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has been playing hard-ball with Betis.
Playmaker Lo Celso, 23, had already told the Seville-based side he wanted to join Tottenham even though Manchester United had shown an interest.
He was on loan from PSG at Betis last season and scored 15 times before the club exercised their option for a £20m permanent move.
PSG will get 20 percent of the fee – which will also include hefty add-ons.
Argentine club Rosario, who sold the player to PSG for £8.5m in 2016, will also take three percent from the deal.
Lo Celso was often used as a false nine upfront last term but prefers to play back in central midfield, where he was less effective in Spain.
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Although also holding an Italian passport, Lo Celso has made 19 appearances for Argentina’s senior team.
Yet some media observers in Spain believe Spurs are still taking a massive gamble despite getting Betis to lower their asking price – and he could find it difficult to adjust to the pace of the Premier League.
Spurs have already strengthened their midfield this summer with a club-record £65m deal for Tanguy Ndombele.
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