Barcelona identify Tottenham midfielder as transfer replacement for Gavi after season-ending injury

BARCELONA are eyeing Tottenham ace Giovani Lo Celso as Gavi’s replacement ahead of the January transfer window, reports suggest.

Barca lost their star midfielder for the rest of the season after he suffered a heavy knee injury while on international duty with Spain.

And the Catalans are now rigorously searching for the right person to fill in for the 19-year-old wonderkid, who will be out for nine months.

According to the Standard, Barca are keeping tabs on Lo Celso ahead of the winter market.

However, Spurs are not keen to sell the midfielder, even though he has dramatically fallen down the pecking order with only three substitute appearances in the Premier League this season.

That is due to a recent injury crisis that has hit Ange Postecoglou‘s side.

Lo Celso is expected to return to Postecoglou’s starting line-up on a regular basis until at least January following James Maddison‘s ankle injury.

Maddison is expected to be sidelined until the New Year and thus Tottenham will reject any approaches for the Argentine.

The 27-year-old is expected to get even more opportunities after the England international returns.

That is because Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr will be away on international duty for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in the Ivory Coast.

FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS

Bissouma will be playing for Mali while Sarr will be representing Senegal from January 13 with the competition coming to a close on February 11.

Barcelona have been keeping tabs on Lo Celso since the summer and faced competition from Atletico Madrid as well as his former club Real Betis.

The Spanish champions’ manager Xavi is thought to be a major admirer of the Tottenham ace.

However, the Argentine is expected to stay in North London until June and could return to action on Sunday against Aston Villa with Bissouma suspended.