WAYNE BRIDGE HAILS ANTONIO CONTE FOR TRANSFER BUSINESSES AT TOTTENHAM

According to journalist German Garcia Grova, Villarreal have agreed personal terms with Giovani Lo Celso as a loan deal with Tottenham edges closer. The Argentine midfielder is unwanted by Antonio Conte and he is nearing a second loan move to the Spanish side. Villarreal came out winners from the loan deal when they signed Lo Celso last January. The midfielder was a crucial part of Unai Emery’s side that reached the Champions League semi-finals, beating Bayern Munich along the way.

As he returned to north London for pre-season, Antonio Conte made it abundantly clear the midfielder wasn’t part of his plans. Lo Celso was left behind alongside three other first-teamers as Spurs went along their pre-season tour of Korea. Despite plenty of interest from various clubs, an agreement had not been struck with any team. Moreover, Tottenham reportedly wanted €20 million in exchange for the midfielder, but they have not found any suitors willing to pay up yet.

Hence, the Lilywhites are set to take the best available solution to get Lo Celso off their books, with a loan move back to Villarreal now edging closer. The midfielder will rejoin Emery’s side with the contract consisting of an option/obligation to purchase him outright at the end of the campaign, according to Cesar Luis Merlo.

Lo Celso has already agreed personal terms with Villarreal, which will make the process smooth. Both clubs are reportedly in the final stages of negotiations, as the Argentine international will soon be back at the Spanish side. Spurs have already signed Yves Bissouma in the summer, who would be able to offset the departure of Lo Celso or Tanguy Ndombele in this window. Moreover, they had already recruited Rodrigo Bentancur in January, with the Uruguayan now a mainstay in Tottenham’s midfield alongside Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.

Wayne Bridge has commended Antonio Conte for the transfer businesses he is currently handling at Spurs this summer.