Newcastle set to launch ‘crazy’ transfer swoop for Barcelona star Clement Lenglet to kickstart summer spending spree
NEWCASTLE are set to pursue Barcelona defender Clement Lenglet again in the summer, according to reports.
The Magpies were keen to acquire his signature in the January window as they bolstered their squad for their impending relegation battle.
But they never managed to get a deal done and instead opted to buy other defenders to shore up the back line.
Kieran Trippier, Dan Burn and Matt Targett were all signed by Eddie Howe in the winter market.
However, Spanish newspaper Sport are reporting that Newcastle remain keen to bring Lenglet, 26, in at the end of the season.
They even use the phrase ‘crazy’ when describing just how interested the Toon are in the Frenchman.
And Barcelona are open to selling him as they see Lenglet and Sergino Dest as their two most likely sales.
The Catalan giants feel Lenglet is their ‘most marketable centre-back’, as while he has not particularly shone in recent times, his ‘stock remains high’.
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And since January Newcastle have become a more attractive proposition for players of the calibre of Lenglet.
This is because of their stellar run of form in the Premier League which has seen them drag themselves away from the bottom three and the riches potentially on offer.
No defeats in eight league matches and five wins in that time mean they are now a healthy seven points clear of safety.
Along with powerful financial backing, this could convince Lenglet to move to St James’ Park.
Since arriving from Sevilla in 2018, Lenglet has played 149 times for Barca across four seasons.
He has won the LaLiga title and Copa del Rey during his stint at the Nou Camp.
But opportunities have been significantly reduced since the arrival of new manager Xavi – with the Spaniard preferring Gerard Pique, Ronald Araujo and Eric Garcia over him in the heart of his defence.
So Lenglet may feel now is the time for a fresh start.
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