Aston Villa are reportedly in talks with Giovani Lo Celso’s representatives as Unai Emery considers midfield reinforcements this summer.
The 27-year-old is currently on loan at Villarreal from Tottenham, but that temporary switch will come to an end this summer and he’ll return to north London.
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With Antonio Conte having since departed since he was loaned out, it remains to be seen if Lo Celso is given a fresh chance at Spurs, or if he is considered surplus to requirements and is moved on.
The Argentine international has made 46 appearances for Villarreal, scoring twice and providing four assists, while he had eight goals and six assists in 84 outings during his previous stint with Tottenham.
According to TyC Sports reporter Gaston Edul, Villa are in talks with his camp about a potential summer switch, and it’s added that Emery wants him and an offer could be made to try and reach an agreement.
It’s important to note that Villa are currently being linked with countless names, but there does seem to be a reoccurring theme in that we’ve been paired with an interest in several midfielders, and so that could potentially be an area that Emery will prioritise ahead of next season.
Time will tell if Lo Celso is considered the top option to provide a solution, and if in turn a deal can be done to sign him, but it would be a signing that adds technical quality, composure and control in midfield, key characteristics that Emery values highly and wants to continue to develop as part of his style of play.
Douglas Luiz, Boubacar Kamara, John McGinn and Jacob Ramsey have established themselves as key options in that area of the squad, but beyond Leander Dendoncker, we are short of quality competition and depth, and so another signing will be important in that department as we wait to see if any of our youth talents are also given a bigger chance.
For now though, our focus remains on the final three Premier League games of this season, starting with a critical encounter with Tottenham this weekend.
