Barcelona midfield target wanted in €15 million loan-to-buy deal by Serie A champions

Despite acquiring Ilkay Gundogan, Barcelona continue to keep track of the market for another interior midfielder and are following Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva.

At the same time, Tottenham Hotspur’s Giovani Lo Celso happens to be on their shortlist as a possible alternative in case Silva does not arrive.

As per a report from Mundo Deportivo, the 27-year-old Argentine international has no place in Tottenham’s plan for the next season, and despite starting the pre-season with the Premier League side, he is tipped to leave this summer.

Interestingly enough, Barcelona are not the only team vying for his acquisition, with MD also reporting that Serie A champions Napoli are also interested.

Furthermore, the Partenopei’s interest is so advanced that it is said that the Italians have already started contact with Tottenham.

Napoli are willing to offer a fee in the region of €15 million to sign Lo Celso. The only catch is, they want the playmaker on loan with a purchase option. This is something that the Premier League side do not want.

For what it is worth, if it does not work out well between Tottenham and Napoli, Real Betis are ready to make a move as well and the fact that the midfielder has already played for the La Liga team for a season would give them the upper hand.

As for Barcelona, it is said that Lo Celso is someone who Xavi likes a lot and could prove to be a shrewd signing. Before that, however, they must work on sorting out the future of the unwanted players on their current roster. Once that is done, the team from Catalonia can think of signing more players for the new season.