Real Madrid are reportedly eyeing a January move to land Sevilla defender Clement Lenglet, who is likely to cost Los Blancos €30 million.
According to Spanish publication Don Balon, Real Madrid are looking at the possibility of reinforcing their backline with a budget move for Sevilla defender Clement Lenglet. The Frenchman will likely be available for the right amount – a fee reportedly in the region of €30 million.
Clement Lenglet has become an insoluble part of the back-four at Sevilla since his move from AS Nancy in January, 2017. The 2017-18 campaign has started on the right foot as well for the 22-year-old, with the player one of the first names on the team sheet for Sevilla, both in La Liga and the Champions League.
The 6’1 towering centre-back has been linked with Barcelona as well in recent times. But, it is Real Madrid who are pondering whether to move for the player in January. Los Blancos have had to endure a disastrous first half of the 2017-18 campaign, with the defending La Liga champions already 14 points behind Barcelona, albeit having a game in hand.
Sevilla FC: Clément Lenglet, central de 22 años. Se ha convertido en el líder de la zaga en menos de 12 meses. Jugador que saca bien el balón jugado y rápido al corte. Se le ha relacionado con el FCBarcelona. Jugador maduro pese a su corta edad. pic.twitter.com/zhY23XKYgp
— Jóvenes Promesas™ (@JovPromesas) December 29, 2017
Sergio Ramos has not been his usual self, Raphael Varane has been jostling with injuries at regular intervals, which has seen Zinedine Zidane’s men put on a horror show often, defensively. There have been rumours of Real Madrid looking at various options to reinforce their backline, with the club also eyeing out-of-favour Chelsea defender David Luiz.
Lenglet though, could be a more than viable option for Real Madrid. The 22-year-old has already spent a year in La Liga, meaning he is well acclimatized with the football and competition in Spain. Also, the club will not have any problems in negotiations with Sevilla, with the player already having a release clause in his contract.
The buyout fee, rumoured to be €30 million, is also not too eye-catching, given the potential of the centre-back. January is a tough time to go after players, with clubs unwilling to part with their prized assets. But, in Lenglet’s case, Sevilla will be rendered powerless if Real activate the defender’s release clause.
One, and perhaps the only possible reason – apart from his ineligibility to represent Real Madrid in the Champions League this season – that might see Real not follow up on their interest in the 22-year-old is the player’s similarity to Raphael Varane in terms of playing style and skill set.
Thus, there are not many potential complications present in case of an impending bid from Real Madrid. Lenglet’s pursuit would also go along well with Florentino Perez’s recently established transfer policy of building for the future. This looks like a move that should happen, albeit only if Zidane or Perez deem the chase a necessary one.
