Tottenham Hotspur are proactively working in the transfer market, so far landing Ivan Perisic and Yves Bissouma. However, Antonio Conte wants more signings, and Spurs are prepared as well to back their gaffer. The North Londoners now want a center-back and Barcelona’s Clement Lenglet tops their list. Tottenham wants to add more options in the defense for Conte and the Barcelona defender fits their criteria.
But Tottenham are unable to reach an agreement with the Barcelona player, which has reportedly frustrated their chairman Daniel Levy and sporting director Fabio Paratici. Both Levy and Paratici want this deal to be concluded as soon as possible in order to approach their other targets. As a result, multiple reports now tell that Spurs have issued a deadline to the center-back to make a firm decision.
Elsewhere, Barcelona have already conveyed to Lenglet that he must find a new club this summer. Manager Xavi doesn’t count the Frenchman in his next season’s plans and has asked him to leave as well.
Tottenham running out of patience for the Barcelona man
Lenglet managed only 861 minutes under Xavi last season, with a mere 7 starts. Lenglet does not convince Xavi, who wants to replace him with a new defender. However, Barcelona are in deep financial troubles and hence needs to sell first to sign new players. Tottenham are ready to take their unwanted defender, which could help Barcelona get rid of his £8.6 million salary per year.
But Lenglet is stubborn to see out his Barcelona contract which runs till the summer of 2026. The former Sevilla man will take a lot of convincing if he is to leave Camp Nou this summer. Tottenham are in constant talks with his representatives but are hitting a dead-end in the talks.
Tottenham chief Levy has now issued an ultimatum to the Barcelona center-back to green-light the move in the next ’48 hours’. Levy has lashed out that he ‘won’t wait forever’ and that will pursue other targets over the next couple of days. The Catalans are hoping as well that Lenglet approves this transfer.
A deal with Tottenham offers Barcelona the best chance to offload the France international. Furthermore, Serie A side AS Roma too showed their interest in signing Lenglet. However, the Romans distanced themselves from the Barca player after his lucrative salary demands.
Barcelona fears the same here and are ready to even discuss a loan deal with Tottenham. The Catalans could opt for a loan fee or a salary-sharing deal with Spurs. Nonetheless, the next two days will be crucial if Lenglet is to make the Premier League switch with Tottenham.
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