Having the support of a nine-time Ballon d’Or winner is always advantageous, and one Tottenham star set to move this summer enjoys that endorsement ahead of a potential big-money transfer.

Aston Villa might acquire a Lionel Messi-endorsed player as Tottenham’s Giovani Lo Celso seems poised to join their ranks.

Unai Emery’s team has been quite active this summer, and a £33.5 million deal involving Lo Celso could be their next addition. According to Argentinian broadcaster Directv Sports, Tottenham will send the midfielder plus £20 million in cash to Villa Park to secure Jacob Ramsey.

This move appears strategic for Villa, especially as the club aims to balance its finances before its debut in the Champions League. The Birmingham club is striving to comply with the Premier League’s profit and sustainability regulations (PSR) and has already generated around £75 million from player sales this summer, including Douglas Luiz’s £43 million transfer to Juventus.

Signing Lo Celso seems a smart decision, as he is highly rated by Messi. The playmaker recently played alongside Messi in Argentina’s squad that won the Copa America for the second time. The nine-time Ballon d’Or winner has even called Lo Celso the team’s best midfielder.

A 2023 report from AS noted that Messi had recommended Lo Celso to his former club Barcelona as recently as last year. Lo Celso spent 18 months on loan at Villarreal during 2022 and 2023 but was given another opportunity at Tottenham by manager Ange Postecoglou and has since reintegrated into the team.

Lo Celso would have been part of the Argentina squad that won the 2022 World Cup if not for a hamstring injury that sidelined him. However, the 57-cap international has since proven his value again, assisting Lautaro Martinez in a 1-0 extra-time win against Colombia to secure another Copa America.

Villa appears to have closely monitored Lo Celso’s progress and sees value in him, with Transfermarkt valuing him at £13.5 million. The club seems interested in a swap deal that would bring them a significant amount of cash at a time when financial stability is crucial.

There was a time when Lo Celso was viewed as a potential heir to Messi and a successor at Barcelona. However, injuries and inconsistent form under various Tottenham managers have stalled his career at times.

Lo Celso hopes to revive his career under Emery, who took him to the Champions League semi-finals with Villarreal in 2022. Both Emery and Messi appreciate Lo Celso’s talents, which could lead Villa to make another astute signing this summer.