Official: Aston Villa will pay €16 million per year to 28-year-old Barcelona man
Aston Villa are reportedly set to sign Clement Lenglet on loan from Barcelona for the remainder of the 2023/24 season.
Clement Lenglet is reportedly undesired at Barcelona, and clubs like Tottenham Hotspur have been interested in recruiting him as well, according to a report from the Spanish daily SPORT.However, it appears that Aston Villa and the player have now reached a lucrative agreement. According to reports, the West Midlands club will sign the defender for €16 million each season, covering 75% of his wages.
The Frenchman performed admirably for Tottenham when on loan there last season. He was reportedly interested in joining Tottenham permanently, and there were rumors to that effect.
However, it appears that they are hesitant to give him a significant salary. The transfer fee negotiations also stalled out. Spurs’ interest in him has therefore diminished.
The chance to send the player to Aston Villa will be welcomed by Barcelona, who needed to get the player off their books. The Catalan giants are having financial problems, therefore cutting their payroll expense by €16 million annually will enable them to generate their own savings.
After spending a year on loan at Tottenham, Lenglet is already accustomed to playing in the Premier League. It would be interesting to see if he can immediately contribute at Aston Villa and revive his faltering career.
To succeed this season, the West Midlands club will need to strengthen its roster. They’ve displayed defensive weakness thus far and will participate in the UEFA Europa Conference League later this year.On a weekly basis, they will face strong attackers. Unai Emery will therefore need to address his defensive issues.
Lenglet is adaptable enough to play both left-back and center defense. He might end up being a good choice for the West Midlands club. It remains to be seen if the 28-year-old can help Aston Villa tighten up defensively despite having the expertise to improve them.
Although the €16 million earnings (only 75% of his total income) are outrageous, it seems like a no-brainer to get a player of his caliber and expertise on a loan agreement. The deal might turn out to be a steal for Aston Villa if they can make the most of him this year. It won’t be a surprise if Aston Villa tries to sign the 28-year-old on a permanent basis the following season if he manages to impress at Villa Park.
