Newcastle United have been tipped to reignite their interest in Barcelona defender Clement Lenglet in the summer transfer window, according to reports.
The Magpies were keen to sign the French international in the January transfer window when Eddie Howe and PIF were looking for defensive reinforcements.
However, a move for the 26-year-old never came to fruition and the Toon Army’s defensive acquisitions in the winter market were Kieran Trippier, Dan Burn and Matt Targett.
But Spanish newspaper Sport are reporting that Newcastle remain keen to bring the former Sevilla man in at the end of the season.
The media outlet goes as far as saying that Newcastle are ‘crazy’ about signing Lenglet who has 15 international caps to his name.
The Catalan giants reportedly see the left-footed man as their ‘most marketable centre-back’, and are eager to cash in when they feel his ‘stock remains high’.
Lenglet, who finds himself out-of-favour under Xavi, has only made four La Liga starts so far this season with the likes of Gerard Pique, Eric Garcia and Ronald Araujo seemingly ahead of him.
With a World Cup looming this winter, Lenglet will be well aware that failure to get regular first team minutes could put his place in Didier Deschamps’ Les Bleus squad at jeopardy.
But after signing a left-footed centre-back in Burn, who has got off to a great start back in Newcastle, in January, a summer move for Lenglet doesn’t necessarily make as much sense now.
A move for a right-sided centre-back will likely be the priority.
Pulling away from the relegation zone due to our eight-game unbeaten run may make Newcastle a more attractive option for high-profile names like Lenglet.
Lenglet may be ready for a new challenge, but Newcastle have to ensure he is the right type of profile that fits Howe’s dressing room.
If PIF and Howe are convinced he is then a summer move cannot be ruled out, but as it stands it would be a surprise to see Clement Lenglet swap Barcelona for Tyneside in the summer.
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