Spurs ‘seal £55m Lo Celso transfer’ as club see Real Betis star as Eriksen’s successor
TOTTENHAM have agreed a £55million fee with Real Betis for Giovani Lo Celso, according to reports.
The midfielder, 23, is seen by the club as a replacement for Christian Eriksen, 27, who has declared his desire to leave North London.
And after months of negotiations, the club have finally agreed a deal where they pay £47.6m up front and £7.4m in bonuses — making him Tottenham's second-most expensive ever signing.
According to the , Mauricio Pochettino has long wanted the Argentina international along with new signing Tanguy Ndombele.
Lo Celso scored 16 goals last season for Betis after making a loan switch from Paris Saint-Germain, which became permanent this summer.
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Despite the deal becoming permanent, the former Rosario Central ace has not played a competitive game for Betis after being owned by them.
He has been enjoying time in his native country of Argentina after helping them reach the Copa America semi-finals, where they were eliminated by hosts Brazil.
Tottenham drew 1-1 with Inter Milan yesterday, losing on penalties, in their final pre-season match before Pochettino's side face newly-promoted Aston Villa on Saturday.
It will be Spurs' first competitive game since the heartache of losing last season's Champions League final and the club are looking to finally make a proper push for the Premier League title.
They then travel to champions Manchester City for the following Saturday, before hosting Newcastle eight days later.