Defender to return to Barcelona after underwhelming loan spell

Clement Lenglet is on his way back to Barcelona after failing to impress in the Premier League with Tottenham Hotspur.

During the last summer transfer window, Barca signed two new centre-backs Andreas Christensen and Jules Kounde, rendering Lenglet’s services surplus to requirements at Camp Nou.

Antonio Conte’s Spurs came calling for him with a loan offer bereft of any option or obligation to buy. The move relaxed Barcelona’s wage bill and helped them with the registration of new signings.

However, club president Joan Laporta will have to once again go through the Spanish giants’ dire financial books and find a solution to the same problem.

Lenglet to return to Barcelona after underwhelming loan spell

The France international made 35 appearances in all competitions for the North London outfit but rarely looked comfortable in England, forming part of the defence that conceded 63 league goals. Only five Premier League sides let in more last term.

Having sacked Conte mid-season, Spurs plan to rebuild their squad under new boss Ange Postecoglou this summer and don’t intend to retain Lenglet for another campaign.

On Thursday, the Lilywhites announced the departures of three players, including the Barcelona outcast, and wished them “well for the future.”

“We can confirm the departures of Arnaut Danjuma and Clement Lenglet following the conclusion of their loan spells with us,” their statement read.

“Defender Clement joined us last summer from Barcelona and made 35 appearances in all competitions, scoring once.”

Lenglet has little chance of making it under Xavi, who is blessed with a number of quality options in central defence. Further, Barcelona are also working on adding two more defenders to the squad, having agreed personal terms with Iñigo Martínez and Mikayil Faye.

The 27-year-old’s future lies elsewhere, and a permanent transfer would be the best-case scenario for both parties.