Tottenham spark Barcelona fears as Spurs eye target who snubbed Saudi Arabia transfer
Tottenham have reportedly struck fear into the hearts of Barcelona who are worried Clement Lenglet will wait for them to try and sign him this month. The defender spent last season on loan in north London but there had been suggestions that Spurs were not willing to make the move permanent if a significant transfer fee was involved.
Since his arrival, Ange Postecoglou has prioritised splashing the cash in numerous departments. Gianluigi Vicario was acquired to succeed Hugo Lloris between the sticks, with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski signed to provide a threat in the final third.
Tottenham also dipped into the free agent market, technically, to bring in Manor Solomon following his impressive loan spell at Fulham. Micky van de Ven has joined to strengthen the defence as well. Postecoglou could be set to be granted another free signing in the shape of Lenglet.
According to Sport, Barcelona may be left with no choice but to allow Lenglet to join Tottenham on a free transfer as they simply want to push him out of the Nou Camp. Spurs are not willing to match Barca’s £12.7million valuation but are aware that the player would like to return.
Barcelona are keen to sell Clement Lenglet
Lenglet is said to have rejected approaches from Saudi Pro League sides and Barca are ‘fearful’ that the 28-year-old is forcing their hand and holding out so that he can join Tottenham. The La Liga outfit are desperate to offload the centre-back and the chances of them accepting a free transfer are increasing.
That is because they want his wages off their books to free up extra finances to register new signings for La Liga action. Any deal to take Lenglet back to the Premier League may not take place until the final days of the window, it is said.
Spurs have already bolstered their defensive ranks this summer by acquiring the services of Van de Ven from Wolfsburg. However, two acquisitions across the backline has remained the aim throughout the summer.
Postecoglou is pushing for defenders that are capable of slotting into his system, and the ex-Celtic boss has opened up on what Tottenham supporters should expect from the transition over the coming months.
He explained: “Buckle up. It’s not going to be smooth. It never is in my first years. That’s not to say you can’t be successful but there will be some turbulence there. I’ve said already that the fans are going to be my biggest barometer as to how we’re going,” he said.
“Fans are usually the best judges because they’re the most invested. Experts and people from the outside can have opinions but the ones around it the most are the ones you know are going to be there long after I’m gone and have been here long before I came.
“They’ll let me know how I’m going and hopefully they’ll see a team that gives them belief and hope, a team that resonates with what they want to see in their football sides and that’s what I’m going to try to bring, along with that some success. What that looks like, tangible-wise, we’ll see.”