Barcelona reduce asking price for Tottenham target

Barcelona are expecting to sale Clement Lenglet in the coming weeks, and have reduced their asking price for the Tottenham Hotspur transfer target to ensure that happens.

According to a report in Mundo Deportivo, Barca were initially looking to recoup €15 million but have now settled at €10 million plus add-ons. They spent €36 million to sign Lenglet from Sevilla back in 2018, but after spending last season on loan at Tottenham, he’s deemed surplus to requirements.

Xavi will have plenty of options to anchor his defence with Ronald Araujo, Jules Koundé, Andreas Christensen, Eric Garcia and Iñigo Martínez, so Lenlglet leaving is a matter of when and not if.

Lenglet appeared in over 100 games for the Blaugrana and was famously sent off in his La Liga debut for elbowing Pere Pons.

Lenglet not in Xavi’s Barcelona plans

Last summer, the French centre-back moved to London on a season-long loan deal and instantly adapted to the style of play that Antonio Conte preached and quickly became a key player making 34 appearances for Spurs.

Conte has since been fired, but Lenglet has been identified as a key transfer target of new manager Angelos Postecoglou as he looks to strengthen the side after Spurs finished 8th in the Premier League, a disappointing result which leaves them without European football for the first time since 2009-2010.

It is understood that Lenglet will return to Barcelona and report for pre-season duty on the 10th of July, but the hope is that a transfer is agreed upon within the next few weeks. Nobody wants this to drag on any longer than it has to.

What has been made clear is that Lenglet will not be allowed to leave on a free transfer like international teammate Samuel Umtiti. Last week Barcelona and Umtiti came to a mutual decision to terminate the World Cup winner’s contract that was set to run until 2026.