View: Should Tottenham look to make Clement Lenglet stay permanent?
Clement Lenglet has spent the 2022/23 season on loan from Barcelona in the Premier League with Tottenham.
Last summer Tottenham were in the market for a left-sided centre-back. After an approach for Alessandro Bastoni amounted to nothing, Spurs eventually signed Clement Lenglet on a season-long loan from Spanish giants Barcelona.
Since his arrival, the Frenchman has made 35 appearances for Tottenham and scored one goal, a crucial equaliser in Marseille which helped his side to advance from their Champions League group.
It has now been reported that Tottenham are looking to make Lenglet’s stay in North London a permanent one. According to AS, Tottenham would have to pay at least £10.3 million to Barcelona for the 27-year-old.
Speaking to Football London, Ryan Mason said on Lenglet, “These conversations I’m sure will happen in the summer. Right now it’s not on my mind but what I would say about Clem, is that he is the type of character we want around the training ground.
“He is professional, he does it right. He’s vocal and the more people we can keep hold of and get in the more beneficial it is.”
Should Lenglet stay?
There is no question that Tottenham is desperate for options at centre-back. The club continues to be held back by its defensive woes and this season conceded 63 goals in the Premier League, an amount lower than only five other clubs.
While Lenglet was a part of this defence, it would be harsh to point the blame his way. In fact, two of Tottenham’s worst defeats, the 6-1 thrashing at Newcastle and the 4-3 loss to Liverpool a week later, Lenglet was not a part of.
Considering it was just his first season in the Premier League, and he was part of a team that experienced a particularly turbulent season, Lenglet held his own.
For the price that Tottenham would reportedly have to pay, it would make sense to complete the signing. There would be few options of his quality at the same price around Europe, and the player is already settled at the club.
Even if Tottenham were to go out and sign a big-money centre-back, something which they arguably need, Lenglet would still be a good option to have in the squad.
In other Tottenham News, we have had a look at if an incoming Tottenham defender will fit the mold.