Journalist says Tottenham have already held Lo Celso-Pau Torres ‘swap-deal discussions’

Add as preferred source on Google

Tottenham Hotspur are still on the lookout for a new left-sided central defender, and the prospect of a Pau Torres-Giovani Lo Celso swap deal is very real.

Antonio Conte is not messing around this summer. Spurs have already signed Ivan Perisic, Fraser Forster and Yves Bissouma, and if reports are to be believed, there will be more additions in the coming weeks.

One area of the pitch Tottenham are desperate to strengthen is central defence. Eric Dier and Cristian Romero are undisputed starters, but Spurs are reportedly looking for an upgrade on Ben Davies at left centre-half.

The likes of Alessandro Bastoni and Gleison Bremer have been heavily linked, but Torres could well be the one who could walk through the doors of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium before the window shuts.

• Report: Tottenham set their sights on Pau Torres

Tottenham have held Pau Torres-Lo Celso swap deal discussions

Spurs allowed Lo Celso to join Villarreal on loan in the January transfer window. The Argentine became a star under Unai Emery in Spain, and it is no surprise that the Yellow Submarine want to sign him on a permanent deal.

Tottenham aren’t too keen on bringing Lo Celso back to the club this summer, which means a permanent move to Villarreal is a very real possibility. Instead of the money, Spurs have reportedly explored the possibility of a swap deal that would see long-time target Torres move to North London as a part of the transfer.

That’s according to The Express journalist Ryan Taylor, who claims that initial swap-deal discussions between the two clubs have already taken place.

He told GiveMeSport: “(Pau) Torres has been the subject of initial swap-deal discussions with Villarreal because obviously, they want to sign Lo Celso on a permanent basis. Torres is left-footed and can play in a back-three as well.”

• ‘The only offer I have’: Pau Torres discusses his future amid reports Tottenham have already made £43m bid

Torres has already rejected Spurs once

Torres, who has a £55 million release clause, has been linked with a move to Tottenham for a while now. It’s clear that Tottenham really like him, so much so that they even made him a huge offer last year.

However, the Spaniard turned down Nuno Espirito Santo’s side – only because he wanted to play in the Champions League for his boyhood club.

“The pull of playing the Champions League with the team from my town was bigger (than joining Tottenham). I was clear from the start,” he said while explaining why he rejected Spurs.

Now, Torres has fulfilled his dream at Villarreal, Spurs are back in the Champions League and what better manager for a defender to work under than Antonio Conte? If Tottenham make a move for him this summer, it’s likely that he’ll accept their offer this time.

• Report: Chelsea now want to sign two of Antonio Conte’s top Tottenham targets – Pau Torres is one of them