Everton once had the chance to sign Giovani Lo Celso long before his spells at Paris Saint-Germain, Real Betis, Tottenham and Villarreal. The Argentine midfielder has revealed that the Toffees “formally tempted” him with an offer when he was just 15 — a move that never materialised but could have brought him to the Premier League five years earlier.
Lo Celso, now 29 and back at Real Betis, was reflecting on his early career in a detailed profile with Argentine outlet La Nacion. The Rosario-born playmaker recalled his journey through youth football — from indoor futsal at Regatas to local school football at San José — before breaking through at Rosario Central.
The midfielder, who made 54 senior appearances for Central, joined PSG in 2016 for €10m after a season on loan at his boyhood club. What followed was a career spanning La Liga, Ligue 1 and the Premier League, including a €32m move to Tottenham in 2020, where he registered 10 goals and 8 assists in 108 appearances.
The Teenage Temptation from Everton
According to Lo Celso, his talent had caught Everton’s attention early.
“At 15, I was formally tempted by Everton in England. At 17, two other European clubs came in for me again, but I didn’t leave until I was 20 for PSG.” — Giovani Lo Celso
He chose to remain in Rosario — a decision he says was rare for young talents in Argentina, who often move away early in their careers.
Staying Close to Home Paid Off
Lo Celso spoke warmly about the benefits of staying close to family and friends during his formative years.
“I was lucky enough to play in my city, Rosario, and for my club, Central — almost a rarity. My friends could watch me in the First Division without travelling. I didn’t have to leave my town or live in a boarding house… I was fortunate.” — Giovani Lo Celso
That grounding, he believes, helped shape the player he became before his eventual leap to Europe.
Career Stats Overview
| Club | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rosario Central | 54 | 2 | 3 |
| PSG | 54 | 6 | 7 |
| Real Betis (first spell) | 45 | 16 | 6 |
| Tottenham | 108 | 10 | 8 |
| Villarreal | 51 | 5 | 4 |
While his spell in England with Spurs was mixed, his technical quality and vision have kept him in demand at the top level.
Analyst Verdict
Everton’s interest in Lo Celso during his teenage years shows how deep their scouting network reached. However, in hindsight, staying in Rosario arguably gave the midfielder the stability and confidence to flourish later in Europe.
From a tactical standpoint, Lo Celso’s game has always been about intelligent positioning and quick ball circulation — qualities he might have developed differently had he moved to England at such a young age.
Key Insights
- Everton made a formal approach for Lo Celso when he was just 15.
- He stayed at Rosario Central until a €10m move to PSG at 20.
- Premier League career came later with Tottenham.
- Lo Celso values the stability of staying close to home early on.
- His career has spanned Argentina, France, Spain and England.
What’s Next
Now 29, Lo Celso is back at Real Betis and looking to make a sustained impact in La Liga. A strong 2025/26 campaign could see him return to the Argentina squad for World Cup qualifiers, especially if he recaptures the form that once made him one of Europe’s most in-demand playmakers.
As for Everton, the story is another reminder of the fine margins in football recruitment — and how one teenage decision can change a club’s history.
Would Lo Celso’s career — and Everton’s fortunes — have been different if he’d made the move at 15?
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