Tottenham Hotspur and Villarreal are reportedly coming closer to agreeing a deal for the permanent transfer of Giovani Lo Celso.
The Argentina international quickly fell out of favour under Antonio Conte last term but was a key component of Unai Emery's Yellow Submarine in the second half of the season.
Lo Celso totalled one goal and one assist from 22 games in a Villarreal shirt and was a regular starter during the La Liga's side memorable run to the Champions League semi-finals.
Villarreal did not have a clause to make Lo Celso's deal permanent, and the 26-year-old is still contracted to Tottenham for another three seasons.
However, the 26-year-old seemingly does not have a future at the club under Conte, who prefers Oliver Skipp, Yves Bissouma, Pape Sarr, Rodrigo Bentancur and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg in the middle.
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Villarreal are keen to strike a permanent deal for the former Paris Saint-Germain and Real Betis man, and according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, talks are starting to progress.
Romano claims that a move to La Ceramica for Lo Celso is "getting closer", but Villarreal are yet to reach a full agreement with Tottenham and will continue talks in the coming days.
Lo Celso was left out of the Tottenham squad for their pre-season tour of South Korea, and he was also absent from the weekend's opening 4-1 Premier League win over Southampton.
The South American is set to leave the Lilywhites after registering eight goals and six assists in 84 matches for the club in all competitions since arriving on an initial loan deal in 2019.
Last term, Lo Celso started only two Premier League games before being shipped out to Villarreal, and Emery has earmarked the midfielder's signing as a summer priority.
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Tottenham could sanction the exits of numerous players alongside Lo Celso in the coming weeks, with the Lilywhites expected to complete their incomings with the arrival of Destiny Udogie from Udinese.
Fellow midfielders Harry Winks and Tanguy Ndombele do not appear to have roles at the club under Conte either, but the latter is seemingly struggling to attract suitors after a disappointing North London spell.
Japhet Tanganga continues to be linked with a move to AC Milan, while Sergio Reguilon's place at the club is also in doubt following the arrival of Ivan Perisic from Inter Milan.
Steven Bergwijn, Jack Clarke and Cameron Carter-Vickers have already left the Lilywhites on permanent deals this summer, and Joe Rodon has joined Rennes on loan with an option to buy.
Tottenham will aim to make it two wins from two in the Premier League when they meet Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on August 14.
Ben Knapton
