Tottenham have been exploring a swap deal for Giovani Lo Celso, according to a report by The Athletic’s David Ornstein.

The Lowdown: Absence from London derby

Lo Celso’s absence from Spurs’ matchday squad in Sunday’s London derby against Chelsea provoked some fans to question the Argentine’s transfer status ahead of deadline day, with just a week remaining of the window.

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Amid rumours over whether he was able to play against the Blues, the 25-year-old took to Instagram to share that he was in “100 per-cent good physical condition”, meaning he was available for Antonio Conte’s selection.

During the Italian’s post-match conference after his side suffered a 2-0 defeat, the manager was questioned about Lo Celso’s future, with his response sparking further speculation as he said: “I selected the players for this game and this question is one for the club to answer.”

The Latest: Spurs looking for Lo Celso swap deal

According to Ornstein for The Athletic, Spurs have been exploring the possibility of a swap deal for the Argentina international as the club look set for a busy end to the January transfer window.

It is becoming increasingly evident that Conte is looking to reshape his midfield this season as a myriad of transfer rumours involving Tottenham players in that position have arisen, including the mooted departures of Tanguy Ndombele and Dele Alli.

The Verdict: A failed hefty transfer?

Having suffered knee and shinbone injuries, Lo Celso has struggled for Premier League game-time this season, with just two starts and seven substitute appearances thus far.

The midfielder arrived on a £15m loan fee in 2019 before the transfer was confirmed on a permanent basis, as the Lilywhites splashed out an extra £27.3m in a bid to build a stronger midfield, also bringing in club-record signing Ndombele three years ago.

Despite the hefty transfer fee, Lo Celso has been unable to make a considerable impact since arriving at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and with Conte set for a midfield overhaul, the Argentine could be added to the list of potential departures.

If a swap deal has not been completed before the January deadline, the midfielder could be waving goodbye in the summer unless his first team prospects drastically improve in the meantime.

In other news: Journalist shares another big exit update involving Spurs