Barcelona have officially announced the signing of Clement Lenglet, having paid the €35.9 million clause to release the Frenchman from his Sevilla deal
Barcelona have made an official statement to confirm that they have secured the services of Clement Lenglet, who has signed a five-year deal at Camp Nou. The Blaugrana have shelled out the €35.9 million release clause in the Frenchman’s contract with Sevilla.
Lenglet has built up a solid reputation for himself since moving to Spain 18 months ago. In January 2017, the French defender had joined Sevilla from Nancy in a €5 million deal, and since then, he had been one of the standout performers for Los Nervionenses.
? Bienvenue @clement_lenglet!
?? Welcome to Barça!
⚽️ #EnjoyLenglet
? #EnjoyBarça pic.twitter.com/NS0IFa7KwJ— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) July 12, 2018
Last season, Lenglet was one of the best defenders in La Liga, even as Sevilla ended in a disappointing seventh-place finish. The player was thus, quite the hot property heading into the summer transfer window. The likes of Real Madrid and Manchester United were reportedly among his suitors. But, Barcelona have won the race to sign him.
Barcelona, in fact, held a long-standing interest in the player, having attempted to sign him last summer as well. But, their pursuit of Lenglet has finally borne fruit. The Blaugrana have officially completed the signing of the French defender by shelling out the €35.9 million release clause in his Sevilla contract. The move for Lenglet makes a lot of sense as well.
Ernesto Valverde does have a number of centre-backs at his disposal. But, a closer look at his options will better explain why central defensive reinforcement was a need for Barcelona this summer. Yerry Mina and Marlon Santos were bought from Brazil as long-term solutions at the heart of defence.
But, the duo have not managed to make much of a mark thus far, and are both being linked with summer moves away from Camp Nou. Other than the duo, the Barcelona boss was left with just Thomas Vermaelen in addition to his first-choice central defensive partnership of Gerard Pique and Samuel Umtiti.
With Pique on the wrong side of 30 and showing signs of age catching up to him, the need to sign a centre-back indeed became paramount for Barcelona. Lenglet was thus, a viable target for Barcelona, who can now have a French partnership at the heart of defence for years to come.
The 23-year-old has signed a five-year deal at Camp Nou, and will have a €300 million release clause in his Barcelona contract. Lenglet will be officially presented as the Blaugrana’s second summer signing on Friday.
Barcelona fans will now hope that they have a successful long-term central defensive partnership in Umtiti and Lenglet, while hoping the latter is able to ably replace Pique in the years to come.
