Tottenham ace ‘wants transfer’ amid Aston Villa links as Wolves set for ‘raid’ from direct rival

Aston Villa have been boosted in their pursuit of Tottenham Hotspur star Giovani Lo Celso as the midfielder reportedly wants to leave in the summer transfer window.

The Argentina international has spent the last season and a half on loan at La Liga side Villarreal and it’s becoming clear his Tottenham move wasn’t his best career choice.

His initial loan spell with Spurs went well throughout the 2019-20 campaign but things haven’t really worked out ever since he joined permanently from Real Betis for around £28 million.

Unai Emery worked closely with Lo Celso during the second half of the 2021-22 term and the start as this as the midfielder made 16 appearances under the now-Villa manager when he was at Villarreal.

They also had time together at PSG as Lo Celso enjoyed his major breakthrough season in 2017-18, playing 33 times in Ligue 1, making nine direct goal contributions.

The pair could now be set for a reunion at Villa Park as The Athletic claims “Emery is keen on Lo Celso” as the 27-year-old is on a list of targets as the Villans look to bolster their midfield depth.

The Daily Telegraph, via Last Word On Spurs, reports “Lo Celso doesn’t really want to come back to Spurs” after his Villarreal loan spell. The midfielder is valued at around £20-25 million.

Meanwhile, Wolves prepare for Nottingham Forest raid

In other West Midlands transfer news, Wolverhampton Wanderers are said to be the subject of an imminent raid from direct Premier League relegation rivals Nottingham Forest.

Former club captain Conor Coady, who spent last season on loan at Everton, currently has his future in limbo but Forest “hold a degree of interest”, according to The Athletic.

Steve Cooper’s side are claimed to have “considered moves for Coady in previous windows” and are still intrigued by the prospect of bringing the centre back to City Ground.

Everton had the opportunity to activate an option-to-buy clause on their Coady loan but decided against signing the 30-year-old. His Wolves contract expires in June 2025.