Barcelona defender Clement Lenglet is almost certain to leave the club in the closing days of the transfer market, the question is where and in what format.
The Blaugrana seem to be resigned to loaning Lenglet out rather than a permanent deal, and he has interest from multiple clubs. Real Betis are reportedly looking at him as a replacement for the outgoing Luiz Felipe, while city rivals Sevilla are also looking at taking him back to the club that sold him to Barcelona. They have pitched the idea of terminating his deal to the French defender, but thus far, he is not open to it, according to Sport.
🚨 JUST IN: Barcelona are offering Clément Lenglet the possibility to terminate his contract! For now, Lenglet has rejected this idea. @DBR8 🇫🇷
— barcacentre (@barcacentre) August 29, 2023
However it appears more likely to be a Premier League side that comes in for him. Jijantes claim that will be the case, while Fabrizio Romano says that Unai Emery’s Aston Villa are showing late interest in him too. Earlier in the day it was reported that Olympique Lyon are also looking at the veteran French international.
EXCL: Aston Villa weighing up a move for Clement Lenglet as option on the table for the final days of the window 🟣🔵
There are multiple options available but Barcelona aware of Aston Villa interest, waiting for developments.
In any case, Barça feel sure that CL will leave. pic.twitter.com/DDNK4P5w1M
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 29, 2023
The Blaugrana appear to be hoping for an auction of sorts, if they are indeed biding their time as Romano claims. Lenglet’s salary hit is believed to be in the region of €15m gross this season, and talks will no doubt come down to which side is willing to pay the largest amount of that. With Barcelona struggling to free up space in their salary limit, they are not in the stongest negotiating position either, depending what business they have in mind.
🚨 Lenglet will joan a Premier League side, but it's not Tottenham. @JijantesFC 🇫🇷
— barcacentre (@barcacentre) August 29, 2023
Please please just try and get a sale of any sort this time instead of yet another loan which imo only prolongs the problem and is only a short term fix,barca right now need any fee being offered and his ridiculously huge wage cheers bartemou 👏 off their books permanently constantly loaning players does not achieve this hence why i wasn’t overly thrilled with sergino dests loan to psv either.
Hard to sell someone if there aren’t any buyers, and the player doesn’t have to go to a particular club if they don’t want to. It’s a pain for sure, especially when the player is being a bit unreasonable. Dest, for example, suggested at one point that he would only leave to a club that was playing CL football and where he would be a starter. As we all know, there is no such club. Lenglet, despite earning 16 million in each the past few years and having plenty of money in the bank, has turned down multiple offers and appears to be fine sitting at home collecting a check instead of playing football.
I’m frustrated too, but not with the club. They’re doing all they can.