Barcelona keen to offload €15m Lenglet to Jose Mourinho

Martin Macdonald

25 Jul 2021 17:30 BST
3 min read

Barcelona are keen to offload central defender Clement Lenglet to Roma for a cut-price fee.

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The Spanish giants' current wage bill issues are well known, with a mass exodus likely to occur in order to find the salary space to fit Lionel Messi back into the fold and also comply with La Liga's strict guidelines.

They are also looking to raise funds wherever possible and it is becoming clear that other than new signings (and Messi himself) no player is unavailable for transfer.

One area where Barcelona have established some cover of late is in the centre of defence, with the emergence of Oscar Mingueza and Ronald Araujo.

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As a result Lenglet, who was signed from Sevilla for €40m, may prove surplus to requirements, allowing Barcelona to earn a modest fee while also removing him from the wage bill.

Lenglet only signed a new deal last summer but his inconsistent performances have led to criticism from a number of quarters, and Ronald Koeman was leaving him out of key games towards the end of the season.

The 26-year-old was also hooked at half-time during France's Euro 2020 exit at the hands of Switzerland last month.

Roma and Jose Mourinho have emerged as possible candidates and a fee of €15m could be agreed, though Barcelona will attempt to hold out for a bigger fee.

West Ham and Everton are also reportedly interested in the player, though both would prefer a loan with a permanent buy option, something not of interest to the Camp Nou club.