José Mourinho has confirmed that he is confident that Tottenham will exercise their option to sign Giovani Lo Celso permanently, while also revealing that the club are doing "everything possible" to recruit a striker.
Lo Celso signed for Spurs in the summer on a loan deal with an option to buy from La Liga side Real Betis. A hip injury hampered the Argentine's performance during the opening act of the season, though he has featured more regularly of late, playing a part in each of Spurs' last four games.
Despite this shaky start, Mourinho suggested that Lo Celso would still join the club permanently when his loan deal expires at the end of the campaign.
"I imagine yes, I think it is something that comes from the summer," he told reporters on Friday, as quoted by Marca. "There are some loans that they have the opportunity to be in control of the situation like is happening with Gedson.
"There are some emergency loans and there are other loans where the objective is to be in control of the future of the player without any need of further negotiations. I think Giovani is going to stay with us."
The news was received warmly by Spurs fans, who took to social media to express their delight at the news.
The biggest thing Lo Celso and Lamela bring to this Spurs team is one touch passing. It's something Tottenham have often lacked this season, looking ponderous on the ball. The two Argentines inject life and urgency into the attacks and make others increase their speed of thought.
— Alasdair Gold (@AlasdairGold) January 14, 2020
The biggest thing Lo Celso and Lamela bring to this Spurs team is one touch passing. It's something Tottenham have often lacked this season, looking ponderous on the ball. The two Argentines inject life and urgency into the attacks and make others increase their speed of thought.
— Alasdair Gold (@AlasdairGold) January 14, 2020
Levy HAS to make Lo Celso’s loan move permanent. He has so much ability and has shown it in little game time
— Manny (@Mannythfc) January 15, 2020
Gio is always positive and fearless on the ball. His work rate is second to none consistently tracking back
2 goals in 5 starts, there’s so much more to come⚪️ pic.twitter.com/lkiOTv9lyg
Mourinho also used his press conference to give an update on other transfer dealings. The 56-year-old has made no secret of his desire to bring in a striker in January, with captain Harry Kane set for a lengthy injury layoff and the Spurs boss said the club was working on bringing in a replacement for their stricken top scorer.
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"But it has to be a positive situation for us, so in this moment we have attacking players that are very good. Son, Lucas, Lamela, Lo Celso, Dele Alli - of course they are very good, but we miss that target man.
"So if it's possible, we are doing everything possible and it's not easy but we are trying to add that player to the squad."
Spurs have previously been linked with a move for Milan striker Krzysztof Piatek but seem to have been put off by the Rossoneri's hefty £30m asking price. The Lilywhites have also been offered the chance to sign Porto's Ze Luis on loan.
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Source: 90min
