English Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur have added to their contingent of Argentine internationals, after completing completed a double transfer deadline day swoop to sign Albiceleste midfielder Giovani lo Celso.
In a busy day for the North London club, they also added left-back Ryan Sessegnon from Fulham.
The arrivals of Lo Celso and Sessegnon follow the club record signing of French international midfielder Tanguy Ndombele and add some much-needed depth to Mauricio Pochettino's squad as the Argentine coach aims to win his first trophy at Tottenham since taking charge in 2014. Spurs reached the Champions League final last year but lost out to Liverpool in Madrid.
Lo Celso, capped 19 times by Argentina, will join on a season-long loan from Real Betis with an option to buy.
"We are delighted to announce that we have reached agreement for the season-long loan signing of Giovani Lo Celso from Real Betis Balompie with an option to make the transfer permanent," Spurs said in a statement.
The move comes after Spurs chairman Daniel Levy was challenged by Pochettino to show the ambition to build on the momentum of moving into a new 62,000 capacity stadium and reaching the Champions League final last season.
Lo Celso, 23, shone on loan at Betis from French champions Paris Saint Germain last term, his 16 goals in 45 appearances prompting the La Liga side to make his move permanent in April.
England Under-21 international Sessegnon, 19, will cost a reported £25 million (US$30 million) with performance related add-ons that could take the fee to £30 million.
In a statement Spurs announced that the 19-year-old "has signed a contract with the club until 2025."
Sessegnon inspired Fulham to promotion to the Premier League in 2017/18, but failed to make an impact as the west Londoners were relegated from the top flight last season.
However, he remained a much sought after target for several Premier League clubs.
Argentines in N17
The addition of Lo Celso boosts the Argentine connection in North London. Spurs famously signed international stars Osvaldo Ardiles and Ricardo Villa in 1978 and since Pochettino took charge of the club, Tottenham's squad has seen its Argentine presence grow.
Lo Celso will join Erik Lamela, Juan Foyth and Paulo Gazzaniga at the club, as well as First Team Coach Miguel D'Agostino.
Pochettino's son, Maurizio Pochettino, who was born in Barcelona but holds dual nationality, plays for Spurs' youth team.
– TIMES/AFP
Comments