Tottenham are interested in taking Barcelona’s French star Clement Lenglet on loan next season

Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly entered the race for Barcelona defender Clement Lenglet as they look to bring the player in on loan for the duration of next season. 

According to ESPN, via Mundo Deportivo, Spurs  are proposing to cover the entirety of the Frenchman’s wages if he is to join on loan, as Antonio Conte seeks to bolster his defence ahead of a Champions League campaign.

Lenglet’s place at Barca has become increasingly under threat with the impending arrival of Andreas Christensen, and with the club believed to be lining up a big-money move for Jules Kounde, they will want to free up space on their wage bill.  

Clement Lenglet joined Barcelona in 2018 for £32m but could leave the club this summer

Spanish outlet Sport report that the Frenchman forms no part of Barca boss Xavi’s plans and is free to leave.

As with so many of the players Barcelona have signed in recent years, the player is said to be on wages that would prove a stumbling block for any permanent move away from the club. 

The Spanish publication claims the France international had initially been reluctant to depart the club, for reasons not made entirely clear, but in recent days is said to have grown to the idea. 

The France international is not thought to be in manager Xavi’s plans for the club’s rebuild

Spurs boss Antonio Conte has already made three summer signings this transfer window

Lenglet made only 27 appearances last season in all competitions and his game time is set to decrease further with the club lining up a bid for Kounde. 

It is claimed that Barcelona have ‘agreed a deal in principle’ with their LaLiga rivals, which would see them pay £51million and send a player in the opposite direction.

Barcelona are reportedly trying to include American international Sergino Dest in the deal – who has been linked to a host of clubs across Europe this summer. 

Spurs had been linked with a move for Italian defender Alessandro Bastoni, however the player is likely to command a higher fee than the north London side will want to pay, and Lenglet could provide a cheaper alternative. 

Lenglet is thought to be open to leaving Barcelona in this summer’s transfer window

The 23-year-old Italy international is considered a top target by Spurs and he is a player known to Conte from his time with Inter Milan. 

Bastoni would be expected to slot in on the left side of the three-man defence, with Dier in the middle and Romero on the right.

Spurs have been one of the busier Premier League sides this summer and have already completed deals for midfielder Yves Bissouma, former Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster and veteran winger Ivan Perisic from Inter.