Barcelona need to sell Lenglet to Tottenham to facilitate right-back signing

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 27: Clement Lenglet of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 27, 2023 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 27: Clement Lenglet of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 27, 2023 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images)

While Sergiño Dest is determined to prove his worth to Xavi during the pre-season tour of the USA, Barcelona continue their search for reinforcements at the right-back position. However, in order for a move to be financially viable, they need to start trimming their squad. Clement Lenglet has long been rumoured to be on his way out, but Barca has still not reached an agreement with Tottenham over the French central defenders transfer.

According to SPORT, the negotiations with the North London club are becoming complicated based on the valuations of the player differing.

There is still plenty of time left in the transfer window to sell Lenglet, but Deco may be running out of time to secure his preferred targets.

The Barcelona Sporting Director has a host of names on his shortlist, including Valladolid right-back Iván Fresneda. The La Liga champions are not the only team interested in his services with a host of Premier League clubs showing interest.

Bournemouth are the latest team to be linked, although both Arsenal and Newcastle have previously been interested and unlike Bournemouth can offer Champions League football.

Joao Cancelo has repeatedly been linked with a move to Catalonia, but financially that deal would be impossible without at least one sale, and likely more.

Barca continues to find itself walking a tightrope when it comes to the transfer market based on financial fair play and a bloated wage bill. The exit of Lenglet would almost certainly open up the possibility of a player joining on the level of Fresneda, offering competition for Sergino Dest, who may still leave Barca this summer.

Part of the motivation for bringing in a right-back is to enable Jules Kounde to move back to a central role after the 24-year-old French defender filled in at right-back last season.