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Portuguese giants FC Porto are reportedly interested in signing Clement Lenglet from Barcelona in the summer transfer window.
According to a report by Spanish publication SPORT, Clement Lenglet is the subject of interest from FC Porto over a possible move in the summer transfer window. The Portuguese giants have conveyed their eagerness to sign the Barcelona defender through super-agent Jorge Mendes.
Clement Lenglet joined Barcelona from Sevilla in July 2018 and has since blown hot and cold at Camp Nou. The French international started his stint with the Blaugrana superbly, taking no time to establish himself as a pivotal figure. But his stock has fallen considerably in the last two seasons, with only Clement Lenglet behind him in the pecking order for centre-backs at FC Barcelona.
The 26-year-old managed just over 1,000 minutes of game-time in 26 appearances across all competitions for Barcelona this past season. And Lenglet is surplus to requirements at Camp Nou, with Barcelona ready to offload him in the summer transfer window. Such a situation has captured the attention of FC Porto.
The interest from Porto likely stems from the advancing age of Pepe. The former Real Madrid centre-back will turn 40 next year, meaning he is approaching the end of the line in his professional career, even though he remains one of the most consistent performers for the Portuguese giants.
In addition, Chancel Mbemba will leave Porto as a free agent, while Ivan Marcano is well into his thirties. So Porto might need to sign at least one centre-back to pave a smooth transition from the current crop to the next. Lenglet is thus a viable target for the Portuguese giants, especially with Barcelona ready to sell him.
FC Porto conveyed their interest in the French international to Barcelona through Jorge Mendes. The Portuguese super-agent recently held a meeting with Joan Laporta and other Barcelona board members to discuss the futures of a few players who are surplus to requirements at Camp Nou.
While Mendes does not represent Lenglet, he was an intermediary for Porto. But the Portuguese giants will have to stave off stiff competition from several other European bigwigs, with clubs like Tottenham, Arsenal, and Juventus keen on signing the Barcelona defender. It will be interesting to see if Porto can land Lenglet this summer.
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