Transfer Centre

Barcelona 'lining up £26.5m Clement Lenglet move'

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 15 May 2018

Barcelona are reportedly lining up a £26.5m approach for Sevilla centre-back Clement Lenglet due to concerns over the ability of Thomas Vermaelen and Yerry Mina.

Barcelona have reportedly identified Sevilla centre-back Clement Lenglet as their number one transfer target this summer.

The Spanish champions are understood to have accelerated their plans to bolster their defensive line following the performances of back-up duo Yerry Mina and Thomas Vermaelen during Sunday's 5-4 defeat to Levante - a result which ended their hopes of an unbeaten season.

Barca are in particular looking for a replacement for the 32-year-old Vermaelen, and Spanish outlet Sport claims that they are readying an approach for Lenglet as a result.

The 22-year-old is understood to have a €30m (£26.5m) buyout clause in his contract at Sevilla, which Barcelona are expected to trigger when the transfer window reopens.

Lenglet only joined Sevilla for €5m (£4.4m) last year, but he has quickly established himself as a first-team regular for the club.

The player could join compatriot Samuel Umtiti at Camp Nou, although Umtiti's own position at the club remains uncertain with talks over a new contract so far failing to reach a solution.