Throughout the pre-season, we’ve been focused on Tottenham as a possible destination for Clement Lenglet who will leave Barcelona this summer. Last week it was revealed that Barca was playing the waiting game with the North London side failing to make an offer that was acceptable, now we hear that Marseille are not only interested in Lenglet but Eric Garcia too.
If Xavi wants to continue strengthening his side ahead of the new season, the management team at Barca will need to find new homes for a number of players, opening up space on the wage bill and balancing the scales with financial fair play.
One name that will almost certainly leave is Clement Lenglet, with the French centre-back having spent a year on loan at Tottenham last year, he doesn’t appear to be in Xavi’s plans for the new campaign, although he is currently on tour with the squad in the USA.
Lenglet was given an extra week off training earlier in July in order to facilitate a move to England, but after Tottenham failed to make an acceptable offer, he was reintegrated back into the side. The expectation still remains that he will leave, but he may just be heading elsewhere.
According to a report in SPORT, Marseille who finished 3rd in Ligue 1 last season is interested in signing both Lenglet and Eric Garcia, with both players reportedly made available by the La Liga Champions.
Marseille is interested in bagging two Barcelona centre-backs
That 3rd place finish for Marseille means they have qualified for the Champions League qualification stage and are looking to strengthen their defence ahead of the new campaign.
With Tottenham having finished 8th in the Premier League and outside the European places, Lenglet could be tempted with a move back to his home country.
Any move for either player would help the financial situation at Barca.
Eric Garcia moved to Barcelona on a free transfer from Manchester City having been with the Catalan side during his youth.
He made 24 appearances for the Blaugrana last season, acting mainly as a centre back but at times as a defensive midfielder.
With the addition of Inigo Martinez and Xavi’s insistence on bringing in a right back to allow Jules Koundé to return to the centre of the defence, opportunities are going to be sparse for Garcia this year.
Barcelona are believed to value Lenglet between €10-€15 million and Transfermarkt values Eric Garcia at €10 million, a deal of around €20 million is likely enough to take both to Marseille.