Ange faces big transfer test as Barcelona eye bid for red-hot Argentina star

As the January transfer window looms, Ange Postecoglou faces a battle to keep a resurgent Tottenham star amid strong interest from Barcelona.

Argentina midfielder Giovani Lo Celso has played a key role for Spurs in recent weeks, starting three of their last four matches and scoring against both Manchester City and third-placed Aston Villa.

The technically gifted creative midfielder has stepped up significantly in the wake of an injury to off-season arrival James Maddison, and delivered a particularly impressive performance against the champions in a 3-3 draw.

Against City, Lo Celso became the first midfielder this league campaign to complete 100 per cent of their passes with 40 from 40.

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Lo Celso was signed to Spurs by Mauricio Pochettino in 2019 only for that manager to be sacked three months later, with the player falling out of favour under Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte.

He subsequently spent most of the last 18 months on loan at Villareal in Spain where he guided them to fifth in LaLiga.

Spurs were expected to sell the 48-cap international in the off-season, with Barcelona pushing for a move and Villareal also keen to have him back.

But Postecoglou’s arrival brought a change in tactics at Spurs which better suited the style of the ball-playing midfielder, and both Postecoglou and the player himself desired Lo Celso to remain in North London.

While he had to bide his time behind star signing Maddison, who enjoyed a remarkable run of form early in the campaign, an injury to the former Leicester player gave Lo Celso his chance to finally prove he’s not a Premier League flop.

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According to multiple reports, Barcelona coach Xavi has made signing Lo Celso in January a top transfer priority, particularly in the wake of an ACL tear to Gavi.

But with Spurs already thin on the ground after a raft of injuries, Postecoglou will himself be looking for reinforcements in the transfer window and will be loathe to lose the resurgent star.

Lo Celso has 18 months remaining on his contract, which could push the Spurs hierarchy to consider an offer from Barcelona – although his increased importance to Postecoglou’s system could see him handed a new contract to protect his transfer value and avoid losing him on a free transfer in 2025.

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