Barcelona determined to sign Tottenham playmaker in January, player flattered by interest | OneFootball

It appears that Barcelona will not go down without a fight in their bid to sign Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Giovani Lo Celso during the upcoming January transfer window.

Having lost Gavi to a season-ending ACL injury, the La Liga champions are looking into the possibility of signing a short-term replacement for the La Masia graduate until the end of the season.

And, if reports are to be believed, Tottenham’s Lo Celso has been identified as the preferred candidate by Xavi Hernandez & co., with the Catalans understood to be looking for a loan move.

Barcelona determined to sign Lo Celso

Now, according to Nizaar Kinsella of the Evening Standard, Barcelona are very determined to secure the services of Lo Celso on loan in the January transfer window.

Tottenham, for their part, are very reluctant to let go of the 27-year-old Argentine international, in light of the injury suffered by James Maddison.

In addition, the Lilywhites will likely be losing Pape Matar Sarr and Yves Bissouma next month for the Africa Cup of Nations.

As such, Ange Postecoglou is reluctant to let Lo Celso leave, with the manager even handing the midfielder his first Premier League start of the season against Aston Villa this past weekend.

Lo Celso flattered but will not push for exit

Lo Celso is a top target for Barcelona. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

The report further goes onto add that Lo Celso is very flattered by the interest shown in him from Barcelona.

However, the Argentine international is unwilling to push for an exit from Tottenham in January as he is finally making his way into Postecoglou’s plans following Maddison’s injury.

It must also be noted that for Barcelona to make a push for Lo Celso’s signing they must generate some salary space.

Gavi’s injury had opened the window to sign a new player despite the club exceeding the Fair Play limit, but the Catalans plan to use that regulation to bring in Vitor Roque.

As such, a move for Lo Celso or any other midfielder might likely hinge on Barcelona getting the €40 million due payment from Libero for their purchase of shares in Barça Studios.