Two days ago, Calciomercato stated Clément Lenglet wants to leave Aston Villa in January and AC Milan are keen on signing him on a loan deal.
The defender has been on loan at Villa Park from Barcelona since the summer window. On Wednesday, Gazzetta dello Sport reported the Villans are ‘not opening’ the door for him to leave next month.
This is backed up Sport, who provide more details on why Aston Villa want to retain the 28-year-old until the end of this season.
The centre-back hasn’t yet made an appearance in the Premier League and Unai Emery has used him [five times] only in the UEFA Conference League this season. This hasn’t pleased the Frenchman as well as the La Liga side.
Barca want the former Sevilla man to have more prominence, to help them in their aim to sell him next summer.
Barcelona have received interest from the Serie A side, Real Betis and Sevilla. However, the Premier League side are ‘blocking his departure’ because they have ‘no intention’ of cutting short Lenglet’s loan stay in January.
Online, Sport add the player wants regular minutes and has informed this internally to Aston Villa. He wants to leave but the Premier League side are ‘very reluctant’ to accept his wish.
Aston Villa believe Lenglet is an ‘important piece’ and he will have more opportunities this season.
In addition to this, it would be difficult to find a ‘guaranteed replacement’ for him in the winter market.
Lenglet, Barca and interested parties still have time to convince Aston Villa to change their mind, if an operation has to take place in January.
