Real Betis stir up bidding war between Manchester United and Tottenham for Giovani Lo Celso The Argentine midfielder is a wanted man and the Spanish club may be willing to sell if they can attract a bid of £67m

Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are both pursuing a deal for Real Betis midfielder Giovani Lo Celso, with the Spanish club understood to be ready to listen to offers in excess of £67m.

The Argentina international enjoyed a successful season-long loan at the Seville-based club from Paris Saint-Germain before joining permanently two months ago for £19.5m. However, i understands that Betis are already resigned to losing the 23-year-old this summer.

Betis had been made aware of “genuine interest” from United last month but were sceptical this was driven by the player’s father and agent, Juan. However, fresh reports have detailed how the situation has developed: the Seville newspaper Estadio Deportivo claims that a delegation of Betis officials – including vice-president and chief executive Jose Miguel Lopez Catalan – travelled to England this week, resulting in United emerging as favourites for the midfielder.

It has been mutually agreed between Betis and Lo Celso’s representatives that despite the player’s deal containing an £89m release clause, they are prepared to let him go for £67m. The club are hoping to create a bidding war for the technically-gifted midfielder, as they would have to pass on 20 per cent of any sale directly to Paris Saint-Germain.

Bidding war

Tottenham – who have not signed a player since Lucas Moura arrived in January 2018 – have already made a firm offer for Lo Celso, but their £53m bid fell short of the Spanish club’s valuation. Davinson Sanchez – who arrived from Ajax for £42m – is currently the Spurs record signing, and chairman Daniel Levy is notoriously reluctant to match the large-scale financial investment of other leading English clubs.

However, manager Mauricio Pochettino is said to be applying pressure on Spurs to sanction a deal for Lo Celso and it is believed the player’s preference is to work under his fellow Argentine. It is understood the midfielder has spoken informally with Pochettino, and Betis fitness coach Marcos Alvarez – who worked at Spurs under former boss Juande Ramos – has played a role in recommending the Champions League finalists.

The Red Devils are looking to rejuvenate their midfield and are yet to replace Marouane Fellaini or Ander Herrera. There are question marks over the form of both Nemanja Matic and Fred, while Paul Pogba has been linked with Juventus and Real Madrid this summer.

Lo Celso moved to Europe when PSG signed him for £8m from Rosario Central but struggled for game-time in the French capital – making just 19 starts across 18 months in Ligue 1. Betis agreed a £2.5m loan move last August and deployed the midfielder in a more advanced central role, where he blossomed into one of La Liga’s best performers. With 16 goals – including five in the Europa League – and six assists across all competitions, the Argentine was comfortably top scorer in a Betis side which struggled for creativity. His timed runs from deep and ability to exploit space between opponents’ defence and midfield has driven his fine form.

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Atletico Madrid have also been linked with the player but it is doubtful they are in a position to meet the Betis’s valuation and are said to be prioritising other targets. Betis – who also fear losing star players Junior Firpo and Sergio Canales this summer – are unlikely to confirm any exit for the midfielder until strengthening their squad this summer. The club’s fans are unhappy with chairman Angel Haro and López Catalán following the controversial and unexpected exit of club legend Lorenzo Serra Ferrer from his director of football position this week.

Lo Celso is currently on international duty with Argentina at the Copa America which begins this weekend in Brazil.