Aston Villa are reportedly set to sign Clement Lenglet on loan from Barcelona for the remainder of the 2023/24 season.
According to a report from Spanish publication SPORT, Clement Lenglet is unwanted at Barcelona, and clubs like Tottenham Hotspur have been keen on signing him as well. However, it seems that Aston Villa have now agreed on a bumper deal to sign the player. Apparently, the West Midlands club will pay €16 million per season to sign the defender, covering 75% of his wags.
The Frenchman was on loan at Tottenham last season, and he did reasonably well for the London club. There were rumours that Tottenham could sign him permanently, with the player also keen on joining them. But it seems they are unwilling to pay him substantial wages. Talks over the transfer fee also did not progress well. So Spurs have cooled their interest in him.
Barcelona needed to get the player off their books, and the opportunity to send him to Aston Villa will come as a relief for them. The Catalan giants are going through financial difficulties, and getting €16 million a season off their wage bill will allow them to bring in their own savings.
Meanwhile, Lenglet is used to the Premier League now after a season on loan at Tottenham. But it remains to be seen whether he can make an immediate impact at Aston Villa and resurrect his stuttering career.
The West Midlands club will need to improve their squad in order to do well this season. They have looked vulnerable defensively so far and will be competing in the UEFA Europa Conference League later this season. They will be up against quality attackers on a weekly basis. So Unai Emery will have to sort out his defensive problems.
Lenglet is versatile enough to operate as a central defender as well as a left-back. He could prove to be a useful option for the West Midlands club. The 28-year-old has the experience of quality to improve Aston Villa, and it remains to be seen whether he can help them tighten up defensively.
Signing a player of his quality and experience on a loan deal seems like a no-brainer, although the €16 million wages (only 75% of his total salary) are exorbitant. If Aston Villa can get the best out of him this season, the deal could prove to be a bargain for them. And if the 28-year-old manages to impress at Villa Park, it will not be a surprise if Aston Villa try to sign him permanently next year.