Transfer predictor: Real Betis star Giovani Lo Celso to Tottenham gets an 8

Sooraj Kamath - Writer 12:06 15/06/2019
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  • Giovani Lo Celso

    Struggling to pick out the facts from the figures? Reality from the rubbish? Sense from the silly season? We’ve got you sorted in our daily dose of the Transfer Predictor, where we round up the latest rumours with an analytical spin.

    We sort through the most eye-catching transfer reports of the past 24 hours and give a balanced judgment on whether the move really will happen – and why.

    Today’s edition features potential signings for Arsenal, Tottenham and Sheffield United.

    Giovani Lo Celso

    Giovani Lo Celso

    Real Betis -> £88.9 million-> Tottenham

    Several publications including Daily Mirror have claimed that Tottenham will stop at nothing until they sign Real Betis star Giovani Lo Celso.

    With their original £53 million bid rejected, Spurs are expected to follow up by increasing their bid by £10 million, which should be able to convince the Seville club to sell. In the worst case scenario, Spurs will have to pay the buy-out clause for the Argentine’s contract with Betis which stands at £88.9 million.

    WHY IT WILL HAPPEN

    Lo Celso would be a great addition to Spurs’ midfield, which is in desperate need of a rebuild. Should the Champions League runners-up manage to rope in both Tanguy Ndombele and Lo Celso, it would be a great piece of business, keeping in mind that the core of midfield would be sorted for the next six-seven years.

    The 23-year-old is also in need of an upgrade, having outgrown Betis. Playing under a coach like Mauricio Pochettino could be great for the former Paris Saint-Germain man’s development.

    WHY IT WON’T HAPPEN

    With reports suggesting that Spurs wouldn’t mind paying the player’s release clause, the transfer fee clearly can’t do much to derail this operation.

    However, a series of eye-catching performances in the Copa America could draw suitors and should a club with a better offer than Spurs approach Lo Celso, there could be a serious tussle.

    Transfer rating: 8/10

    Franck Ribery

    Ribery-Bayern-Munich

    Bayern Munich -> free transfer -> Sheffield United

    Kicker was the first publication to suggest that Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery could join newly promoted Premier League side Sheffield United.

    WHY IT WILL HAPPEN

    The Frenchman will be a free agent at the end of this month and hence the complication involving a transfer fee will be absent.

    It does help Sheffield’s case that Ribery is not strongly linked to any other club at the moment.

    WHY IT WON’T HAPPEN

    To even think that treble winner Ribery will sign for a club that was playing in the second division last season is bizarre.

    It’s also unlikely that Sheffield could afford the player’s high salary demands despite having him aboard for free.

    Transfer predictor: 3/10

    Ivan Perisic

    Ivan Perisic

    Ivan Perisic

    Inter -> undisclosed -> Arsenal

    Arsenal have reignited interest in their winter transfer target Ivan Perisic according to various reports, including a number of Italian sources, most notably Calciomercato.

    WHY IT WILL HAPPEN

    Perisic is determined to prove himself in the Premier League and with his untouchable status being rendered uncertain following Antonio Conte’s arrival at Inter, a move to Arsenal is very much on the cards.

    It is believed that the Gunners will approach with a more concrete proposal after their loan deal was rejected in January. If the proposal appeals to both the club and the player, it’s likely that this transfer will materialise without much complications.

    WHY IT WON’T HAPPEN

    The Italian club evaluate the winger at €30-€35 million, which could be a problem for the London club whose reported transfer budget is quite low.

    Transfer rating: 6/10

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