Barcelona defender Clement Lenglet has reportedly emerged as a target for Newcastle United, who wish to sign the Frenchman after missing out in January.
According to SPORT, Newcastle United are set to revisit their interest in Barcelona defender Clement Lenglet in the summer transfer window after failing to capture him in January.
Lenglet signed for Barcelona from fellow La Liga club Sevilla in the summer of 2018 and soon became an integral part of the first-team setup. He displaced Samuel Umtiti as Gerard Pique’s partner at the heart of the defence at Camp Nou. However, the Frenchman has fallen down the pecking order over the past season and a half.
The 26-year-old has hardly featured in the ongoing campaign, especially once Xavi Hernandez took over the reins of the team. Indeed, since the 42-year-old’s appointment, Lenglet has played just eight times in all competitions, starting only two La Liga matches.
With the French international falling out of favour, Barcelona intend to sell him, along with right-back Sergino Dest, at the earliest possible opportunity, as per the report. And Newcastle United have presented themselves as a potential destination for Lenglet ahead of the summer transfer window.
Newcastle were keen on signing Lenglet during the January transfer window. However, given as they were battling for survival in the Premier League at the time, the player was reluctant to consider a switch. But now that they are well clear of the drop zone and look set to stay up, big things are expected of the Magpies in the summer transfer window.
Despite signing Dan Burn in the winter window, defence is an area where Eddie Howe’s side are looking to strengthen. Considering the uncertain futures of Ciaran Clark and Federico Fernandez, it would be logical for the Tyneside outfit to bring in another defender to add more quality and depth to the roster.
It has seen them get linked with a host of defenders like Dael Fry of Middlesbrough and LOSC Lille’s Sven Botman, among others. Lenglet, too, has now emerged as a target for Newcastle United. The Magpies are in a position to splash the cash to sign the Frenchman and meet his wage demands.
However, they might have to contend with competition from fellow Premier League sides Arsenal and Tottenham, who are also looking at Lenglet as a target. It remains to be seen where the 26-year-old ends up, but an exit from Camp Nou seems certain.
