You may be wondering ‘why on earth are they talking about Tottenham Hotspur-Villarreal transfer news’, but give me a moment to explain.
Giovani Lo Celso has joined Villarreal on loan for the remainder of the season, as per Fabrizio Romano.
Giovani Lo Celso to Villarreal, done deal and here we go! Total agreement reached between Tottenham and Villarreal on loan. 🟡 #Villarreal #DeadlineDay
Unai Emery was key for Lo Celso to turn down OL move and join Villarreal. It’s done. #THFC pic.twitter.com/2S8e5WdYBM
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 31, 2022
The highly-rated Argentine midfielder struggled with injury, despite playing well for a period of time under Jose Mourinho, who even spoke him up in comparison to one of the best players in the Premier League.
After Tottenham missed out on a deal for Bruno Fernandes in 2019, former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino settled for Lo Celso on a season-long loan from Real Betis. The midfielder made his move permanent under Mourinho in January when Fernandes joined United for £68m.
When the current AS Roma manager, who won the Europa League and League Cup during his time at United, was asked whether he regretted how Tottenham missed out on Fernandes, Mourinho told Sky Sports: “I don’t know anything about that, but if that is true, and if Giovani Lo Celso was the player that came to Spurs [instead of Bruno Fernandes], then I would say I wouldn’t change Giovani Lo Celso for any player.
“[I wouldn’t swap Lo Celso] for any player. It’s not just for Bruno, but for any player.”
Mourinho’s quotes now sound like a joke. We told you that then and we’re telling you it again as Spurs send a disappointing signing out on loan, just like United are doing with Donny van de Beek on transfer deadline day.
