Tottenham to get Lionel Messi approval as Daniel Levy 'works on contract offer'

Tottenham are reportedly hoping to seal a new contract for midfielder Giovani Lo Celso. Despite the Argentine featuring scarcely in the Premier League this season, Ange Postecoglou wants to persuade the player that he remains part of his long-term plans.

Come the summer, Lo Celso’s current deal will enter its final 12 months. The 28-year-old has long been linked with an exit. Barcelona and former club Real Betis are said to be interested in a potential transfer.

According to Spanish publication AS, Lionel Messi recommended Lo Celso to Barca during the January transfer window. Messi is also said to believe that Lo Celso is Argentina’s best midfielder.

And Spurs may now win the approval of the legendary forward with work reportedly underway over a new contract. According to Tutto Mercato, Spurs want to hand Lo Celso a two-year extension and may even increase his salary to convince him to remain.

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Lo Celso has made 17 Premier League appearances this season, although only four of those have been starts. His time on the pitch in the top-flight amounts to 464 minutes, the equivalent of five full matches.

Real Betis, where Lo Celso enjoyed two spells before joining Spurs in 2019, were said to be interested in a transfer last summer and followed up that interest in January. However, the former Paris Saint-Germain player opted to remain in North London.

In January, he said that Postecoglou’s belief in him had persuaded him to stay. He insisted: “I was really grateful for his belief in me, so I worked hard and showed every day that I wanted to be here and play. I’ve felt really comfortable in training and in the way he coaches. I love his idea of football which gave me the belief that I could find a place in his team.

“The coaching staff have helped as well as my team-mates. It’s a personal challenge for my career, but the coach’s plan and philosophy is helping me improve my game because he asks me and wants me to do specific things in my role.

“Things have been going great. He’s made me feel very confident and comfortable since he joined.”

Spurs are likely to be busy in the summer transfer window. A new forward is likely to be eyed to help Postecoglou elevate the North Londoners back among the Premier League’s elite.