Spanish newspaper SPORT claim Tottenham are now the ‘firm candidate’ to sign Barcelona defender Clement Lenglet – ahead of Jose Mourinho and Roma, with the Frenchman set to leave the Nou Camp in the ‘next few days’.
Lenglet, 27, has been a regular for Barcelona since completing a £32million (Mail) in 2018. He has since clocked up a huge 159 appearances in all competitions, averaging just under 40 a season. But last term, he played 27 times.
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With Barcelona desperate to offload some of their high-earning fringe players, France international Lenglet is one of a long list of players expected to go. Indeed, SPORT claim ‘must leave’ in the ‘next few days’.
They claim that Roma have left the negotiating table due to Lenglet’s lofty wages. It leaves Tottenham on pole, and it is said Spurs hope to complete his signing in the coming days so he does not have to join Barcelona’s pre-season.
Tottenham now ‘firm candidate’ to sign Lenglet ahead of Mourinho
Lenglet’s poor season at Barcelona – in which he started only 11 of his 27 outings – should not deter Spurs. Lenglet is a brilliant option as a left-sided centre-back. His previous 132 games in three seasons is a fairer representation.
Tottenham need cover and competition for Ben Davies. The Welshman produced the best form of his career during 2021-22, for club and country. Lenglet at his best would overtake Davies, though.
Antonio Conte is more than capable of getting it out of the defender. Whether Spurs is the place for Lenglet to return to his best form remains to be seen, but a move looks more than likely to go through according to SPORT.
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