One in/One out – Tottenham have opportunity to sign player and dispose of another

Last Friday, Mundo Deportivo stated Barcelona manager Xavi Hernández likes Tottenham Hotspur’s Giovani Lo Celso ‘a lot’.

This is relayed again in Wednesday’s Mundo Deportivo, when explaining the 27-year-old is on the La Liga side’s agenda.

It’s said the Tottenham player, who spent the last 18 months on loan at Villarreal, has not only convinced Xavi but also the club’s sporting leaders.

Spurs don’t see the Argentina international, who has a deal until 2026, as an ‘essential’ player.

This, coupled with the Catalan club’s desire to sign him has made them believe some sort of an agreement could be found with Tottenham for his transfer.

Barca’s Clément Lenglet was on loan at the north London club last season. The newspaper states Spurs ‘want to continue counting’ on the 28-year-old defender and this ‘can help’ the Spanish club to sign Lo Celso through a swap deal.

The Frenchman’s contract lasts until 2025 and Mundo say it would be a ‘matter of ensuring’ his valuation is similar to that of Lo Celso. This wouldn’t help Barca from a financial [fair play] point of view but can bolster their squad by adding a player desired by Xavi.

The other option would be for Barcelona to find an agreement with Tottenham to take Lo Celso on loan. In this case, the Spurs player would have to adjust his salary to make sure Barca don’t breach fair play restrictions.

With Ange Postecoglou’s side reportedly keen to have Lenglet back at the club, Barca are proposing the option of carrying out a swap deal involving him and Lo Celso.