By Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

26th Aug, 2023 | 10:00am

Sources: Tottenham now want to keep Lo Celso after U-turn

Tottenham are keen to keep Giovani Lo Celso at the club past next week’s (1 September) transfer deadline, sources have told Football Insider.

Football Insider revealed on Friday (25 August) that Aston Villa have now ended their interest in the 27-year-old – who is also wanted by Barcelona.

He seemed certain to leave after spending the last 18 months away from England on loan.

But it is believed manager Ange Postecoglou wants Lo Celso to be available to him for this season.

The midfielder could grab his first meaningful minutes of the 2023-24 campaign if James Maddison is unable to play against Bournemouth on Saturday (26 August).

He featured prominently in pre-season, but has been an unused substitute in both of Spurs’ Premier League fixtures thus far.

Another opportunity to impress could come in Tottenham’s League Cup second round clash with Fulham on Tuesday (29 August).

Lo Celso spent last season on loan at Villarreal, notching two goals and three assists in 29 outings across all competitions.

The Argentina international remains under contract until June 2025.

He has managed eight goals and six assists in 84 games for the club since initially joining on loan four years ago.

Postecoglou, unlike predeccessor Antonio Conte, lines up with a traditional attacking midfielder – but Maddison has been brought in this summer to play ahead of Lo Celso.

The ex-Paris Saint-Germain ace cost a reported fee of £42.3million when he joined permanently from Real Betis in 2020.

Spurs face Bournemouth after picking up four points from their opening two games – including a 2-0 win over Man United last week (19 August).

In other news, Tottenham told £50million bid will be accepted for Bundesliga star.