LaLiga boss reacts to Tottenham transfer talk as £55m January midfielder deal gains momentum

Real Betis’ president has responded to speculation that the club may bring Tottenham player Giovani Lo Celso back to Spain in the new year.

The Argentine, who is now injured, appeared to be on his way out of Spurs at the start of the summer until new manager Ange Postecoglou gave him an opportunity in pre-season.

And Lo Celso helped his chances of staying in north London by impressing in Postecoglou’s innovative style of football.

Despite spending the previous 18 months on loan, it was expected that Lo Celso would be given an opportunity to contribute to Tottenham’s first team under the Australian.

However, after missing the first two games, he developed a hamstring injury that has kept him on the sidelines ever since. Lo Celso has thus been forced to observe as James Maddison has shone in his normal No.10 role this summer.

And, with Rodrigo Bentancur also set to return to action within the next six weeks, speculation about Lo Celso’s long-term future has reignited.

The 27-year-old scored 16 goals and added six assists for Betis in the 2018/2019 season, prompting Spurs to pay £55 million after a loan spell in north London.

Despite Postecoglou saying how highly he regards Lo Celso, there has been much speculation that he could return to Andalusia.

“Yeah, I like Gio,” Postecoglou said, according to The Standard. “He matches our style of play. I like dealing with him, and he appears to like working with us.”

Betis chief plays down Lo Celso links

Unfortunately for Lo Celso, he has had to sit out four of Tottenham’s first five Premier League games, while he was forced off at halftime of the Carabao Cup loss to Fulham.

And now, according to the Spanish newspaper AS, Betis may offer the World Cup-winning Argentine the chance to restart his career at the club where he played his finest football.

Rumours of a return to the club, on the other hand, have confused Betis president Angel Haro.

When asked about the Lo Celso links, Haro told Estadio Deportivo, “I’m not aware of any additional movements.” “I think (these claims) are more rumours than news.”

From Lo Celso’s perspective, it looks like he must return to the shop window as soon as possible if he is to achieve a January escape.The Argentine’s journey to Arsenal on Sunday, however, is likely to come too soon.