Man United ‘favourites’ to sign Giovani Lo Celso ahead of Tottenham

Lo Celso is a man in demand

Manchester United have reportedly emerged as favourites to sign Tottenham target Giovani Lo Celso from Real Betis. The LaLiga club had loaned the Argentina international from Paris Saint-Germain for the duration of last season. Despite finalising a £19.5m permanent deal with the French champions for him two months ago, iNews report Betis are said to be resigned to letting the 23-year-old leave and willing to listen to offers in excess of £67m. Though Betis were initially sceptical of claims United were interested, local media outlet Estadio Deportivo says a delegation of officials from the Seville-based club, including their vice-president and chief executive Jose Miguel Lopez Catalan, visited England earlier in the week. During their trip, United emerged as favourites to sign the player. United are expected to invest heavily in their squad this summer and, having already signed Daniel James from Swansea City, are said to be pursuing a move for Crystal Palace's Aaron Wan-Bissaka. Midfield will also be an area Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will want to strengthen ahead of the new season, especially with Marouane Fellaini departing during the last campaign and Ander Herrera confirmed to be leaving the club on a free transfer. Continuing speculation over the future of Paul Pogba means United may seek to sign at least three new midfielders, with Youri Tielemans and Sean Longstaff also mentioned as possible targets. Though Old Trafford may be viewed as Lo Celso's most likely destination by some of the Spanish media, Tottenham are said to have already had an opening bid of over £50m - a fee which would represent a club record for the Champions League finalists - rejected by Betis. Mauricio Pochettino, Lo Celso's countryman, is said to be applying pressure on Spurs' hierarchy to make an improved offer.  Interestingly, the same report by iNews claims Lo Celso has chatted informally with the Spurs manager and that a transfer to the north London club is his preference over a switch to Manchester.