After trying throughout the summer, FC Barcelona are seemingly close to offloading the defender Clement Lenglet this summer. The French defender has not been a part of Xavi’s plans since his appointment as Barcelona coach.
In fact, the defender spent the last season on loan at Tottenham. After returning to Barcelona this summer, both the Catalan club and the player himself looked for a permanent move away.
Tottenham were the most interested side, but Lenglet’s move fell apart because Spurs were not willing to pay a transfer fee for the player in addition to his high wages.
Lenglet’s transfer imminent
Other sides interested in Lenglet have also been discouraged from a move because of his high wages, which are currently the highest in Barcelona due to deferred payments. His former club, Sevilla, was also working to get him on loan, alongside fellow La Liga club Real Betis. But the wages of the Frenchman were too high for both of these clubs.
However, another potential suitor for the defender has emerged in the last few days. This suitor is the English club Aston Villa, who are now certain to land Lenglet in the coming days.
In fact, Fabrizio Romano reports that the two clubs have already agreed terms for the loan, and Lenglet will travel to finalize the move to Aston Villa today. Lenglet has also agreed to the transfer, and only documents are left to be signed.
Impact on Barcelona
As already mentioned, Clement Lenglet is currently the player with the highest wages at FC Barcelona. As a result, his departure this summer would significantly and positively impact the club’s situation regarding FFP.
Lenglet’s exit would also create enough space in the wage bill of FC Barcelona to register their remaining players with La Liga.
Furthermore, his exit would also not have any considerable sporting impacts on the club, as he was not a part of Xavi’s plans anyway, and the defensive line at FC Barcelona is already well covered with the likes of Araujo, Christensen, Kounde, and Martinez.
