Tottenham Hotspur have apparently performed a U-turn on the future of Clement Lenglet and are in advanced talks to sign the Barcelona defender permanently.
Lenglet was the only centre-back to arrive in North London during the summer transfer window, joining the Lilywhites on a season-long loan.
The France international was a regular fixture under Antonio Conte, although his performances have been scrutinised along with other members of the Tottenham backline.
Lenglet is expected to play an important role for Cristian Stellini towards the end of the season, although it was recently claimed that Spurs were not prepared to sign him permanently.
No buy option was included in Lenglet's loan deal, and it was reported that neither Fabio Paratici nor Daniel Levy thought that the defender should be kept around.
However, Spanish outlet Sport alleges that Tottenham have indeed been satisfied with Lenglet's performances and are now discussing a permanent deal for the former Sevilla man.
Spurs are supposedly prepared to pay around €14m (£12.3m) to keep Lenglet at the club, although the player himself has not yet given the green light to the transfer.
Barcelona have placed numerous out-of-favour players on the chopping block as they desperately seek to trim their wage bill, and Lenglet could be their first sale of the summer if negotiations progress smoothly.
Tottenham's internal crisis has apparently slowed down talks, with the club focusing on finding a permanent successor for Conte and also reeling from Paratici's extended worldwide ban.
However, there is nothing to suggest that the transfer will not be completed, as Spurs will jump at the chance to sign a left-sided centre-back given a perceived lack of market options in that area.
The 27-year-old has one goal and two assists to show from 27 games in a Tottenham jersey this term, starting 16 Premier League games and a further six in the Champions League.
Lenglet has played the full 90 in each of Spurs' last four Premier League matches, and he can look forward to regular starting berths while left-sided rival Ben Davies recovers from a thigh injury.
Should Lenglet's time at Barcelona come to an end this summer, he will depart Camp Nou having scored seven goals and set up three more in 160 outings for the Blaugrana since arriving in 2018 for €35.9m (£31.6m).
The centre-back has one La Liga title, one Copa del Rey and one Supercopa de Espana crown to show from his time at Barcelona, but he seemingly has no future at the club under Xavi.
Lenglet will be expected to start when fourth-placed Tottenham begin life without Conte against Everton at Goodison Park on Monday. body check tags ::
