Barcelona still need to sell players before the transfer deadline on Friday, but they may have been handed a boost over one of their unwanted stars.
Premier League side Aston Villa are interested in a move for defender Clement Lenglet, who is expected to leave the club this summer.
Lenglet spent last season on loan at Tottenham Hotspur, but the club could not agree a permanent deal for him this summer, with Spurs and Saudi Arabian sides interested.
However, Fabrizio Romano has now revealed that Aston Villa are keen on Lenglet, and have now entered into discussions over his signature.
“Aston Villa weighing up a move for Clement Lenglet as option on the table for the final days of the window,” he tweeted.
“There are multiple options available but Barcelona aware of Aston Villa interest, waiting for developments.
“In any case, Barça feel sure that Clement Lenglet will leave.”
He then later added to the story, claiming that negotiations between the clubs have begun.
“Aston Villa and Barcelona in talks over Clement Lenglet deal, as revealed earlier today — negotiations on.”
Relief for Barcelona
With just days remaining in the window, it was crucial that Barcelona would cut Lenglet’s £145k-per-week salary off the wage bill, in order to help make room for new signing Joao Cancelo, and ease the pressure of their financial crisis.
Lenglet is not in Xavi’s plans at all, given that Ronald Araujo, Andreas Christensen, Jules Kounde, Inigo Martinez, Eric Garcia and Marcos Alonso are all ahead of him in the pecking order. Even with Araujo and Martinez injured, Lenglet did not even make the bench for the win over Villarreal on Sunday.
Barcelona will hope to gain a transfer fee from Villa, who want the defender following a long-term injury to Tyrone Mings, and it will be a huge boost if they can recoup some money on the 28-year-old before the end of the window.