Barcelona defender Clement Lenglet has reportedly emerged as a transfer target for former club Sevilla, with the Frenchman unhappy with his situation.

According to a report from Spanish publication Fichajes, Barcelona defender Clement Lenglet is frustrated with the lack of game-time at the club and is eyeing an exit in the January transfer window with former employers Sevilla interested.

Lenglet arrived at Barcelona in the summer of 2018 from fellow La Liga club Sevilla and had been a regular in the side in his first two seasons in Catalonia. However, the 26-year-old centre-back has endured a fall from grace over the past year after enduring a disappointing campaign in 2020/21, with the Frenchman not enjoying the confidence of manager Ronald Koeman.

Indeed, the Dutchman has preferred to back the likes of Ronald Araujo, Oscar Mingueza and Eric Garcia in the new season. As a result, Lenglet has started just one game in the new season, playing a total of 91 minutes across all competitions. With the FIFA World Cup coming up next year in Qatar, the 26-year-old is not entirely pleased with his situation and wants more regular playing time.

To that end, he has informed the club that he wants an exit at the earliest possible. Barcelona, for their part, would be open to parting ways with Lenglet and would consider offloading him on a permanent basis in the winter transfer window or even send him out on loan before selling him in the summer.

Set to return to his former club? (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
Set to return to his former club? (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Given his lack of game-time and his performances last year, though, the second option seems the more likely avenue as things stand. And Lenglet’s former club, Sevilla, have emerged as an interested party, with Los Nervionenses said to be considering signing the 26-year-old on a temporary basis during the mid-season trading period.

Sevilla, as things stand, have just three senior centre-backs in their squad currently in the form of Jules Kounde, Diego Carlos and Karim Rekik. An injury to even one of them could prove to be problematic considering that Julen Lopetegui’s men are competing on three fronts this season.

Furthermore, Kounde, who was a summer transfer target for Chelsea, remains linked with a move to the west London outfit. In case a move does materialise, Sevilla would be left with a gaping hole in their centre-back department that they will need to address. Lenglet, to that end, would be a viable target, even in the case of Kounde staying.

With the player out of favour at Barcelona and seeking an exit, it remains to be seen what the immediate future holds for Lenglet. The uncertainty surrounding Koeman’s tenure as manager could also have a say in where the Frenchman ends up.

Comments 1

  1. Dan Burcea says:

    Lenglet is just a little beat confused and lack of self confidence. It’s not for sale.

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