FC Barcelona players edge closer and closer to make their respective returns to the club grounds on the 10th of this month to partake in physical and medical tests that await them following their vacations.
While most that will end up partaking in said tests and club activities are players that are expected to be in the plans of Xavi Hernandez for the upcoming 2023/2024 season, there may also be present those that are not key ingredients in Xavi’s vision for the future.
According to the latest update provided by Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona defender Clement Lenglet will be one such player who ends up partaking in the initial recovery stages of the players prior to their pre-season.
Having returned from a rather solid loan spell at English Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur, the player is now expected to move to Spurs on a permanent move rather than stay at Barcelona next season.
With a defense already occupied by the likes of other elite defenders such as Ronaldo Araujo, fellow countrymen Jules Kounde, Andreas Christensen, and soon-to-be Blaugrana defender Inigo Martinez as well, Lenglet retains little to no hopes of being afforded much game time next season and neither does Xavi intend on giving it to him.
As a result, Barcelona and Spurs hope to not prolong negotiations for much longer, with the Catalan club, in particular, wishing to offload the player as soon as possible. Current speculation suggests the transfer fee remains the difference between the two clubs with Barca wanting €15 million while Spurs are offering close to €10 million which would involve variables.
The wait would now simply suggest that Lenglet will only be staying at Barcelona due to the legal requirements of his contract, which is in place until 2026 with the Catalans, and once negotiations have been sorted his return to Spurs this time around will be permanent, unlike his prior loan move.
