Arsenal and Tottenham have reportedly been offered the opportunity to sign Clement Lenglet on loan from Barcelona this summer.
The north London rivals did battle for the top four last season, with Spurs narrowly sealing the fourth spot ahead of the Gunners.
Both Mikel Arteta and Antonio Conte will be looking to improve their squads ahead of next season.
The Barcelona defender is on his way out of the Camp Nou this summer after struggling to make any sort of impression since arriving. However, Lenglet still holds some stock on the European market. Indeed, it was only over the last few days that reports claimed Lenglet had agreed a two-year loan with Tottenham.
However, in what appears to be a fresh twist in the saga that is Clement Lenglet, the media has claimed that the defender has indeed been offered to Arsenal now as well.
Barcelona need to offload players this summer and have already sold Philippe Coutinho, while Ferran Jutgla is close to a move to Club Brugge.
Lenglet could be the next to depart and could soon by joined by Samuel Umtiti. The centre-back has been told he’s not needed next season and is being tipped to return to France.
The Gunners are known admirers of the Frenchman. His name has been mentioned in previous windows, and it seems like summer 2022 is when we’ll finally see Lenglet move on. Of course, both Arsenal and Tottenham have a long list of potential signings they’d like to make.
Lenglet moved to Barca from Sevilla in 2018 for 36 million euros. His performances have regressed during his time at the club after a bright start. This season he played 1,235 minutes across 27 games.
Plenty of English clubs – including Manchester United, Arsenal and Spurs – have since been linked with a move, but Barcelona have struggled to strike a deal with potential suitors.
He has been identified as one of the players that can leave Barcelona before the start of the 2022/23 campaign, and now Tottenham are reportedly exploring a deal.
The left-footed central defender fits the bill for Spurs, given they are currently looking for a left-sided centre-back to slot into their three-man backline.
Alessandro Bastoni is the club’s top target, but the Italian seems unlikely to leave Inter Milan this summer.
He remains settled at the San Siro, and at the age of just 23, he sees no reason to force an exit so early in his career.
If Antonio Conte cannot entice his former player into a reunion, Lenglet looks to be a viable solution.
