Tottenham tipped to sell Lo Celso for £20m after source’s reveal – ex-manager
Alex McLeish has suggested Tottenham may recoup half of what they spent on Giovani Lo Celso after Antonio Conte gave his exit the green light.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Scotland manager admitted the 25-year-old has not been consistent enough for Spurs since his 2019 move.
As revealed by Football Insider on Monday (24 January), Conte and club chiefs have told Lo Celso he is free to leave before Monday’s transfer deadline.
The Lilywhites are open to permanent and loan offers, with a temporary move more likely.
Lo Celso cost Spurs over £40million in loan and transfer fees, with a wage believed to be in excess of £100,000-a-week.
McLeish insisted Spurs would struggle to recoup anywhere near what they paid Real Betis.
“Conte’s made a very quick decision,” McLeish told Football Insider’s Russell Edge.
“They spent a hell of a lot of money on him at £40million.
“You haven’t got the consistency from a player at that level of finance. These are baffling to the ordinary man on the street, the prices.
“They’ll probably only get half of what they paid for him. There are other factors too. It’s an absolutely amazing world of money, the Premier League.
It’ll give the manager some comfort knowing he’ll get some money to spend if there’s money coming in from player sales.
“It’s always very difficult for the manager. I’ve been in that situation where you’re waiting on money to come in before you put money out.
“It does become a little bit stressful. I’ve been there before and I understand the pressure Conte’s under.”
Lo Celso has started twice in seven appearances under Conte so far.
His contract at Spurs runs until 2025.
In other news, Football Insider can reveal Tottenham offering up Lo Celso in potential swap deal.