Barcelona set to battle with La Liga rivals over transfer of €14 million rated player - Reports

Barcelona are reportedly set to join Real Betis in the race for Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Giovani Lo Celso.

BolaVIP (via BarcaUniversal) reports that Barca have reignited their interest in Lo Celso as they look to add to the signing of midfielder Ilkay Gundogan. However, they face competition from his former club Betis.

Lo Celso's future at Spurs is uncertain as he returns from a season-long loan with Villarreal. The Lilywhites' new boss Ange Postecoglou is reportedly not too keen on keeping the Argentine at the club.

The Premier League giants are looking to offload Lo Celso, 27, and he could be headed back to La Liga permanently. The midfielder made 22 appearances in the Spanish league in the recently concluded season, raking in five goal contributions.

Lo Celso has two years left in his contract with Spurs and is valued at €14 million. Barcelona are still in the midst of financial complications, so such a fee would appear to be too difficult.

The Argentine reportedly wanted to prove himself at Tottenham, but new manager Ange Postecoglou isn't taking him into consideration for next season. He failed to impress for the north Londoners following a €32 million move from Betis in 2020.

---

Barcelona wish Lionel Messi happy birthday

Lionel Messi made a sad exit from the Camp Nou in 2021.

Barcelona icon Lionel Messi is celebrating his 36th birthday on Saturday(June 24). The Argentine icon spent 16 hugely successful seasons at the Camp Nou before departing in 2021.

Messi bagged 672 goals and 303 assists in 778 appearances with the Blaugrana. He won four Champions League, ten La Liga and seven Copa del Rey trophies. Barcelona have acknowledged their iconic forward's birthday with a tweet. They posted a montage of his best moments with them, captioning it:

"Happy birthday, Leo Messi!"

The Argentine great was heavily linked with a return to Barcelona this summer. However, he opted to join MLS side Inter Miami following the expiration of his contract with Paris Saint-Germain.

Nevertheless, Barca have announced that they will honor Messi with a tribute. They say that president Joan Laporta and the legendary forward's father Jorge have agreed the tribute.

Messi turned down the opportunity to rejoin the Blaugrana due their financial situation. He had doubts about their ability to sign him and keep hold of first-team players who he didn't want to be a burden on.

The Argentine will now head to DRV PNK Stadium and become the biggest signing in MLS history. He could make his debut for Inter Miami on July 21 against Cruz Azul.