{"id":298078,"date":"2023-12-14T10:26:15","date_gmt":"2023-12-14T10:26:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportstoft.com\/?p=298078"},"modified":"2023-12-14T10:26:15","modified_gmt":"2023-12-14T10:26:15","slug":"tottenham-star-lo-celso-gives-approval-to-join-champions-league-club","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportstoft.com\/soccer\/tottenham-star-lo-celso-gives-approval-to-join-champions-league-club\/","title":{"rendered":"Tottenham star Lo Celso \u2018gives approval\u2019 to join Champions League club"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Tottenham star Giovani Lo Celso has reportedly given his \u2018approval\u2019 to Napoli ahead of the January transfer window. The midfielder has been linked with a departure from north London, with the Serie A side supposedly competing with Barcelona for his signature.<\/p>\n

Lo Celso has only recently reestablished himself at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Unfancied and sent out on loan by Antonio Conte, the 27-year-old has returned this season and featured eight times under Ange Postecoglou.<\/p>\n

Injuries have indeed helped Lo Celso\u2019s cause. The likely return of James Maddison and Rodrigo Bentancur in January will see the Argentine drop back down the pecking order.<\/p>\n

That could prompt him to kickstart his career elsewhere. Reports in Italy claim that the midfielder is attracting loan interest from around Europe.<\/p>\n

READ MORE: <\/strong> Man Utd and Tottenham could be rescued by new Champions League rules[LATEST] <\/strong><\/p>\n

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According to Italian publication Telecapri, Napoli could be the favourites to complete a deal after Lo Celso gave his \u2018approval\u2019 to a potential deal. The Serie A outfit are likely to strengthen in January having struggled in the defence of their first league title in three decades.<\/p>\n

Lo Celso\u2019s potential exit could allow Spurs to strengthen their depleted squad. A centre-back addition appears to be the priority ahead of the January window.<\/p>\n

Micky van de Ven\u2019s impressive start in north London was curtailed by a serious hamstring injury. The Dutchman is likely to remain absent into the new year, which will come as a blow given his outstanding partnership with Cristian Romero.<\/p>\n

Postecoglou\u2019s lack of serious options in the centre of defence was exposed when the Australian was forced to deploy four full-backs across his defence with Romero suspended at the start of December. Eric Dier remains out of favour and could leave when his contract expires in the summer.<\/p>\n