Tottenham Hotspur expect to sign Clement Lenglet on loan from Barcelona within the next 24 hours for the defender to join Antonio Conte’s side at the start of their pre-season tour.
That’s according to Sky Sports, who claim Spurs are confident of finalising the Frenchman’s move before their squad flies to South Korea this Saturday. Lenglet is already in London for his medical, having stayed at the club’s Hotspur Way training ground over Thursday night.
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Lenglet started his medical on Friday morning with only the fitness test and formalities left to resolve to leave Barcelona. Xavi Hernandez has permitted the 27-year-old to depart the Camp Nou after only starting the centre-half in five of 15 La Liga games after taking charge.
Xavi additionally left Lenglet an unused substitute in eight Spanish top-flight matches, and did not start him in any Europa League ties. He further did not turn out in the Blaugrana’s Cope del Rey ties with Linares and Athletic Bilbao or in the Supercopa against Real Madrid.
Tottenham to sign Lenglet on season-long loan from Barcelona
Lenglet accepted Tottenham’s proposal to sign for Conte’s side for the season last week, per Fabrizio Romano. The deal is not expected to include any options to buy the €10m-a-year (£163k-a/w) ace next summer. But Spurs will pay out a large loan fee for his services.
Reports by Mundo Deportivo claim Tottenham will pay Barcelona €5m (£4.25m) for a one-year deal. Even though Sport previously noted the Camp Nou natives value him at €15m (£13m), only four years after paying Sevilla £32m and giving him a £265m release clause.
Conte will hope his side’s substantial temporary investment will help boost his backline in north London next term. Lenglet could also help to add a champion’s mentality, given the lavish praise his former Sevilla coach Vincenzo Montella voiced ahead of joining Barcelona.
“He is a champion with a strong mentality,” Montella said, via quotes by Football Espana.
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