Tottenham Hotspur could be closing in on a permanent move for Clement Lenglet after an update on his Barcelona future.
The centre-back was signed on loan last season, making 35 appearances in all competitions. However, Spurs decided against immediately activating their buy option for the 28-year-old as the club looked to arrange a cut-price deal with Barcelona due to the Catalan giants’ well-documented financial issues.
Speaking about his club’s hopes of Lenglet sealing a deal with Spurs, Barcelona president Joan Laporta said, earlier this month: "I think that with Tottenham we will reach an agreement for Lenglet. This almost never goes fast. It depends on the other party."
Journalist Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Barcelona still expect the France international to leave the club this summer. Romano reports that Lenglet has been given permission to not return to Barcelona's pre-season until July 18 in order to give the centre-back time to finalise a move away from the Camp Nou, though Spurs were not mentioned by name.
Spanish outlet AS previously stated that Lenglet has reached a verbal agreement with Spurs over a three-year deal. The report claimed that Barcelona are negotiating compensation with Lenglet as the club may be forced to terminate his contract, which is currently due to end in 2026, due to their financial situation.
READ MORE: Manor Solomon's first words as a Tottenham player after transfer confirmed
Meanwhile, Mundo Deportivo has stated that the defender is waiting for his move to Spurs to be finalised. The club has also been linked with moves for Manchester City’s Aymeric Laporte and Bayer Leverkusen defender Edmond Tapsoba this summer.
New boss Ange Postecoglou currently has Cristian Romero, Eric Dier, Japhet Tanganga, Davinson Sanchez, and the returning Joe Rodon as his centre-back options, while Ben Davies was also deployed there last term.
Which of the following prospects would you like to see in the first team, or loaned out for experience? Swipe to have your say...
