Clement Lenglet is one of Tottenham's many summer transfer targets, ahead of the opening of the window on Friday. Spurs have already begun their close-season business, starting with the signing of Ivan Perisic on a two-year deal last week.
Since Antonio Conte's arrival, he has made great improvements both on and off the pitch and helped lead his side to a top-four finish. This means that the Lilywhites will return to playing Champions League football next season, which will hopefully also give them a boost in attracting players this summer.
The Italian wants at least six new arrivals in N17, with Tottenham needing some more wing-back options, an attacking midfielder and another striker. Rodrigo Bentancur and Dejan Kulusevski made an immediate impact on their new side and Conte will be hoping any summer arrivals can do the same.
READ MORE: Alessandro Bastoni latest, Lenglet, Pau Torres, Kim Min-jae and Spurs' centre-back transfer list
Alessandro Bastoni has fuelled much of Spurs' transfer talk in recent weeks, with the defenders situation at Inter Milan raising questions over a Tottenham move. The 23-year-old is seemingly happy at the San Siro, but a reunion with Conte at a club with attraction on and off the pitch may persuade him to make a move.
Another left-footed centre-back on the list is Clement Lenglet, who football.london understands the Lilywhites tried to sign last summer, just after Fabio Paratici's arrival in north London. The 26-year-old didn't want to leave Barcelona at the time but with the Spanish club's financial problems and Xavi admitting that Lenglet isn't in his plans for next season, the France international could be someone that makes a move away this summer.
The defender is experienced, having made 21 La Liga appearances for Barcelona last season and featured in Champions League games. Another boost for Spurs is that Lenglet could be available on a loan deal, which would help Tottenham save some of their £150million investment from ENIC, to put towards buying players in other positions.
Lenglet has received praise for his ability and potential, from his France boss, Didier Deschamps. "He has a lot of serenity, assurance and technical ease," the 53-year-old admitted in 2019. "He's calm on the ball. Without being very big, he is also effective in duels and knows how to anticipate. He's still improving but he gives off a lot of confidence."
Tottenham need a left-sided centre-back who can provide competition and another option to Ben Davies. The Wales international has had a superb season for club and country and is one of the players who has seen a major improvement since Conte's arrival.
Lenglet would help the 52-year-old improve Spurs' current squad depth issue, which needs solving ahead of next season, with the introduction of the five substitution rule. Deschamps' description of his fellow Frenchman's qualities could also provide Conte with a boost.
The 26-year-old's confidence and calmness will be exactly what is needed, if he were to make a move to the Premier League. Although the Barcelona defender hasn't had English football experience, he has already given his verdict on Liverpool's Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.
"Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah are two explosive players who complement Roberto Firmino very well, as he creates spaces for the other two," Lenglet admitted in 2020. The 26-year-old has a current market value of between £17 and £25million (according to CIES Football Observatory), if Spurs were to buy Lenglet permanently.
However, it won't be an easy move for Tottenham, as there is reported interest from a number of Premier League clubs but they will have to hope what they have to offer is more attractive than their rivals.
