Giovani Lo Celso makes Tottenham transfer stance clear after club 'talks'

Giovani Lo Celso has reportedly held talks with former club Real Betis over a return after struggling for regular game time at Tottenham.

The 28-year-old returned to the club last summer after spending 18 months on loan with Villarreal in Spain and initially struggled for pitch time earlier in the campaign. Following a bad run of injuries in November, he was handed starts in the games against Aston Villa and Manchester City, where he excelled and got on the scoresheet in both fixtures.

However, he started just a further two games and has been named as an unused substitute six times. In fact, since completing the £55million move from Betis in 2020, Lo Celso has only started 17 times for the Lilywhites.

Boss Ange Postecoglou believes that the midfielder has still contributed to the team, but suggested injuries have played a part in his performance levels. «It is not just him,» he said.

«There has been a few in that boat where they just haven't had a real good run in terms of there has been injury disruptions and other times when he has been fit, other players have played in his position, but I still think Gio's been good for us this year.

»Look, he's a fantastic player, but with all these things you've got to keep the perspective that we're at a big club, we're going to have a big squad and if it is not Gio, it will be someone else that will play that role next year. No one will play every game. It doesn't happen.

«If they want more game time, there are other clubs where they can do that and I'm looking at contribution. With someone like Gio, like I said he has contributed to us this year and that's been the most important thing for me.»

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