Sources: Tottenham close to mega-money signing after major breakthrough
By Wayne Veysey
Tottenham have made a major breakthrough in their bid to sign Giovani Lo Celso from Real Betis, Football Insider can reveal.
The north Londoners have been in talks all summer to try and sign the Argentina international, 23, and are growing increasingly hopeful of sealing a deal by deadline day.
A source with knowledge of Tottenham's recruitment has told Football Insider that discussions with Betis over the fee and structure of the deal are close to being finalised following further negotiations over the weekend.
There is now growing hope that a deal can be finalised at just over £50million, supplemented by performance-related add-ons for a player Mauricio Pochettino has identified as a prime summer signing.
This comes after Football Insider reported last week that Pochettino has gone on the charm offensive to secure a deal worth a total of £100million in transfer fee and wages.
The Argentine has held telephone conversations with his countryman to persuade him to make the move and outline how he sees him finishing into the Spurs side next season.
Tottenham are ready to pay up to £60million including add-ons for Lo Celso as well as a salary package worth a minimum £150,000-a-week over five years.
As revealed by Football Insider last month, Lo Celso has told friends he is eager to move to the Premier League and join Spurs.
Lo Celso took his game to a new level last season at Betis and has also become an increasingly influential figure for the Argentina team.
The 18-times international banged in 16 goals as well as six assists from 45 matches in all competitions for Betis last season, with nearly all of those coming in the key La Liga and Europa League competitions.
He then represented Argentina at the Copa America.