Tottenham have been in contact with Barcelona with over defender Clement Lenglet, with the Catalans determined to move him on in the summer.
That’s according to Sport, who say Antonio Conte has given his approval to the potential deal between the two clubs.
The newspaper explains Lenglet must leave the Camp Nou this summer as he’s not in Xavi’s plans, and they want his wages off the books.
They are prioritising a transfer, but they are beginning to open to the possibility of a loan deal as they are finding it difficult to find someone willing to pay a ‘fair price’, because of the Frenchman’s big wages.
While there is a market for the defender, most don’t want to pay a big price for him, and Tottenham are one of them.
They have asked about the defender’s situation but would only be interested in a loan deal until the end of next season. That, though, could include a possible non-mandatory purchase option.
Barcelona could be open to this idea but would prefer a full transfer and are ‘sounding out’ other clubs in the hope of improving the figures they can get.
Tottenham coach Antonio Conte has ‘given the okay’ to operation so long as the economic conditions are ‘optimal’ for the club.
That means there would have be some sort of agreement on Lenglet’s wages as he currently earns €6m per season, a figure Spurs are willing to pay a ‘good part’ of but only if the player gives up some of it.
The move could be of interest to the Frenchman as he needs more regular playing time ahead of the World Cup.
Tottenham are, at this moment in time, his ‘most viable option’, although Lenglet will wait to see if he has other offers because he wants to play in the Champions League.
Spurs have not yet definitively secured that for next season, but if they do so on the final day, then their chances of securing Lenglet will seemingly increase.
