After Bayern Munich and AC Milan, Serie A side Napoli have expressed interest in signing on-loan Barcelona defender Clement Lenglet, claims Xavi Canals while writing for SPORT.
Barcelona have been drawn against Napoli in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 and the aforementioned source claims that the Serie A team now wants to take advantage of the situation to start the conversation with the Blaugrana.
Napoli want a loan
Lenglet, currently in the rank of Aston Villa, has yet to play a match in the Premier League, although he has been Unai Emery’s first choice in his team’s run in the UEFA Conference League.
Looking at the situation, Napoli perceive an opportunity to secure him on loan, something that they also tried last summer.
The team from Naples sought a central defender to compensate for Kim Min-Jae’s departure to Bayern Munich.
Noticing Tottenham’s reluctance to exercise the €15 million buyout option stipulated in Barça’s transfer agreement, Napoli aggressively pursued the Frenchman.
Barça’s excessive financial demands, coupled with their financial fair play constraints, thwarted the deal initially.
However, with the potential for revival, Napoli contemplates a renewed pursuit, this time in the form of a loan— only upon Aston Villa’s approval.
Napoli have targetted Lenglet in the past
Interestingly enough, this isn’t Napoli’s first flirtation with Lenglet. They were, in fact, Barcelona’s competitors for the French defender’s signature back in 2018 when he was still with Sevilla.
Right now, Lenglet, whose market value is €10 million, remains under contract with Barcelona until June 2026, and the club seeks a transfer that would contribute to financial equilibrium.
Barça will seek to incorporate a compulsory purchase clause should Lenglet be loaned to the Italian team.
However, for the transaction to be finalized in January, Aston Villa must consent to his release.
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