Clement Lenglet has affirmed that he would be open to making his move from Barcelona to Tottenham Hotspur permanent next year.
The French centre-back fell down the pecking order at Camp Nou last year and subsequently arrived in North London for the 2022-23 season on a straight loan.
Lenglet has struggled to become a weekly starter for Antonio Conte's side, with Cristian Romero and Eric Dier consistent fixtures in the Lilywhites' backline.
As a result, the 27-year-old has often rotated with Ben Davies on the left-hand side of the back three and has made a total of seven appearances this season, including three starts in the Champions League.
Tottenham went down 2-0 to Sporting Lisbon in the only European game that the France international has not started in, but he has only made the first XI on three occasions in the Premier League.
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Lenglet has been an unused substitute in each of Tottenham's last three Premier League matches, and he will return to Barcelona at the end of the season as things stand.
However, speaking to The Times ahead of Sunday's clash with Newcastle United, Lenglet opened the door to a permanent switch to North London from Camp Nou.
"In the contract there isn't an option [to buy] but we're in October. We have to wait. I have to be good on the pitch and help the team. Maybe if everything is OK, we will speak," Lenglet said.
"Tottenham was the right place because you come here to fight in the high positions in the league, you play in Champions League, the team is improving every year.
"You try to be a really important team in the league and European competitions. The second point was the coach Antonio Conte. He has a lot of experience.
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"He can share this with the players to improve them. When you are at Barcelona for four years and you have to leave because you want to improve, it's really good to work with him."
Lenglet is under contract with La Blaugrana until the summer of 2026, and he has amassed seven goals and five assists in 160 games for the Catalan giants since making the move from Sevilla in 2018.
Tottenham could scope out the market for new central defenders next year if Lenglet's move is not made permanent, and a reunion between Conte and Stefan de Vrij is still being mooted.
De Vrij's Inter Milan contract expires at the end of the season, and a recent report claimed that Tottenham were still interested in striking a deal for the 30-year-old Dutchman.
Meanwhile, Lenglet will aim to benefit from rotation when Spurs tackle Newcastle in North London on Sunday afternoon, with Conte's side still third in the table at present.
Ben Knapton
