Tottenham are closing in on the signing of Barcelona defender Clement Lenglet on a season-long loan deal. The Lilywhites, who have been in discussions with the Spanish side over the French international, hope he will complete a medical in the next 24 hours and sign ahead of the team's departure for their pre-season tour of South Korea on Saturday.
Fabio Paratici did try and lure the French international to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on loan 12 months ago but unfortunately a deal never came to fruition. Lenglet, who has made 15 appearances for his country since making his international bow in June 2019, will give Antonio Conte options as he can operate as a left-sided centre-back and also through the middle.
Earlier on Thursday, Barcelona sporting director Jordi Cruyff had discussed Lenglet and indicated that he was close to sealing a move away from the Camp Nou.
READ MORE: Fabio Paratici has 13 Tottenham exits to finalise for Antonio Conte after Steven Bergwijn deal
"It seems that we are close to Lenglet leaving, when it is official it will be announced," said the ex-Netherlands international, as reported by Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo. "What we are doing is reinforcing the squad. People always think of a starting eleven, but this has changed and we have to give the coach as many weapons as possible to use in the battle.
"We have to have a wide and high-level squad. We don't have to think about a starting eleven, it's the squad that has to compete."
Lenglet signing before the tour of South Korea will give him the chance to link up with his new Spurs teammates and spend some quality time on the training pitch with Conte, his coaching staff and the team. The ex-Sevilla man will become the club's fifth signing of the summer after Fraser Forster, Ivan Perisic, Yves Bissouma and Richarlison.
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