14th Apr, 2022 | 8:45am

Sources: Villarreal opening talks with Tottenham to sign Giovani Lo Celso as swap deal on the cards

Villarreal are opening talks with Tottenham about signing Giovani Lo Celso permanently, Football Insider understands.

The attacking midfielder, 26, has made a big impact at the Spanish club since joining in January on loan.

A recruitment source has told Football Insider that Villarreal have indicated to Spurs they are keen to convert the loan into a permanent deal.

There was no ‘buy’ option included in the deal that took the Argentine to the Champions League semi-finalists in the winter window.

Spurs are confident they can secure a major fee for Lo Celso and his asking price is believed to be around the £30m mark.

Alternatively, managing director Fabio Paratici could explore part-exchange and swap deals, with defender Pau Torres a target for his club.

A recruitment source has claimed Torres is once again on the radar of Spurs and Conte after they failed with a move last summer (2021).

Lo Celso has now made 13 appearances for the Spanish side, with two of those coming in the Champions League against Bayern Munich.

He played both legs of the quarter-final, which his side won 2-1 on aggregate.

Villarreal now face Liverpool in the semi-finals with Lo Celso set to return to England for the first time since his January move.

Lo Celso failed to complete a 90-minute match in the Premier League in the first half of the campaign.

He scored once in all competitions before his move.

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