Gavi’s serious knee injury has seen Barcelona start looking for a replacement and various claims have talked about Tottenham Hotspur’s Giovani Lo Celso as the main candidate.
The Argentina international is on the front page of today’s Mundo Deportivo, with ‘green light’ written in bold. It’s also said he’s the ‘No.1’ target in January.
Within the report, it’s said the Tottenham player is in ‘pole position’ to take Gavi’s place at the Camp Nou.
The Spaniard will miss the rest of the season and Mundo state Barca received La Liga’s approval to utilise 80% of his wages.
The Catalan club are waiting for a written confirmation from La Liga, while also trying to resolve internally whether to sign a new midfielder or bring Vitor Roque in January, instead of next summer. A decision hasn’t been made yet.
For midfield, Lo Celso is the ‘best placed’ to fill the void left by Gavi’s injury. He was on Barca’s agenda in the summer but Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy, known as a tough negotiator in the market, didn’t make it easy.
The 27-year-old, who has made four appearances this season, is aware of Barcelona’s interest. Due to his current situation at Spurs, a deal could be carried out in the winter market.
Ange Postecoglou won’t be able to count on Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr at the start of 2024, due to their involvement at the AFCON with Ivory Coast and Senegal respectively.
Mundo state this ‘would be a handicap’ for Xavi Hernández’s side in their efforts to sign Lo Celso.
Barca are trying to raise €40m through another ‘lever’ and if they are successful, Mundo say they could be in a position to sign Lo Celso and also register Roque.
