OFFICIAL: Barcelona Sign Clement Lenglet For £31m
REUTERS/Juan Medina
Barcelona have confirmed the signing of rugged central defender Clement Lenglet from Sevilla in a deal that is said to be around £31m.
The Frenchman is widely tipped to be one of the next big things in world football after a sensational outing with the Spanish club in recent times.
The center-half made a total of 52 appearances for Sevilla last season, and even popped up with 3 goals during that time, and caught the attention of some of Europe’s biggest clubs before deciding to stay in Spain and join Barcelona.
It is rumoured that Manchester United were among those with an eye on Lenglet, especially since manager Jose Mourinho had made it clear that the club needed a squad overhaul, and defense was the first order of business.
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Instead, Barcelona emerged as the victors in a deal which involved activating the €35.9m release clause that came with the player, one that the Catalan club gladly accepted.
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The deal with Barcelona for the 23-year-old has also come with its own stamp of authority, with the club laying a €300m release clause on their newly-bought player to wade off any predators that might emerge after a successful spell for the defender.
The deal also means that any hopes that defenders such as Yerry Mina had of breaking into the first team after an impressive World Cup outing have been all but dashed thanks to another promising signing making their way into the Barca back line.
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This signing is also set to put pressure on established stars such as Samuel Umtiti and Gerard Pique in central defense.
Lenglet has only been in Spain for 18 months since Sevilla signed him from Nancy, and though he is yet to make an appearance for the senior French side, he has 10 caps to his name at U-21 level, and could be on course to make the senior team soon.