Xavi asks Barcelona to sign forgotten Tottenham flop as he says transfer could lead club to ‘historic’ season
BARCELONA manager Xavi wants to sign Tottenham midfielder Giovani Lo Celso this summer, according to reports.
The Argentine has not played for Spurs since January 2022.
He has spent the last 18 months on loan at Villarreal, but is due back at Tottenham for pre-season training this week.
According to AS reporter Javi Miguel, Lo Celso is one of three signings that Xavi feels can help Barcelona achieve a “historic season”.
The Barca boss is reportedly demanding club president Joan Laporta sign Lo Celso – who has two years remaining on his Tottenham contract.
Lo Celso joined Spurs, initially on loan, from Real Betis in the summer of 2019.
He has made 84 appearances under five different managers at White Hart Lane.
The 26-year-old joined Villarreal on loan in January 2022, and subsequently helped the Yellow Submarine to the Champions League semi-finals.
A hamstring injury limited him to just 22 LaLiga appearances last term – and ruled him out of Argentina’s ultimately successful World Cup campaign.
In addition to Lo Celso, Xavi is also claimed to be chasing shock moves for Joao Cancelo and Oriol Romeu.
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Cancelo spent the second half of last season on loan at Bayern Munich, but is due back at Manchester City imminently.
Former Southampton stalwart Romeu, 31, left St Mary’s for Girona 12 months ago.
The midfielder came through Barcelona’s academy during Xavi’s playing days – making two senior appearances before joining Chelsea in 2011.
Lo Celso has also been linked with Aston Villa and former club Betis this summer.
While Lo Celso appears likely to leave Spurs, his fellow forgotten man Tanguy Ndombele looks set to be offered a lifeline by new boss Ange Postecoglou.
Asked about the Frenchman earlier this week, Postecoglou said: “Tanguy has been good.
“He’s been working hard in training as they all have because they’ve got no choice. I take things as I see them.
“He was part of a Serie A-winning side last season and he’s been working well. Within that context I’m pleased to have him here and part of the group.
“What that means for the long-term we’ll see. Maybe he won’t want to be part of things.”
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