Spurs: Fabio Paratici offered Clement Lenglet

by George McGibbon share

3 minute read 9/6/2022 | 02:40pm

Tottenham Hotspur have been offered the chance to bring Clement Lenglet to the Premier League this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a recent report by The Times, who claim that Barcelona have now offered Antonio Conte the chance to sign the centre-back on loan, with Xavi deeming the 26-year-old surplus to requirements at the Camp Nou.

However, the report goes on to state that the France international’s £170k-per-week salary could be an issue for Spurs, as the Premier League side have a strict wage structure in place at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Bastoni 2.0

While it is true that, following Xavi’s appointment as Barcelona head coach last year, Lenglet has become something of a bit-part player for the Catalan club, the defender’s metrics over the past 12 months would very much suggest that the 26-year-old could prove to be an extremely astute signing for Fabio Paratici to get over the line this summer.

Indeed, according to FBref data, the £26m-rated talent ranks in the top 1% of centre-backs in Europe’s big five leagues for passes attempted per 90, as well as the top 1% for progressive passes, the top 1% for progressive carries, the top 18% for passes completed, the top 6% for assists and the top 10% for xA over the last 365 days.

Furthermore, the Frenchman who Andrew Gaffney dubbed a “special talent” also ranks in the top 15% for pressures per 90, in addition to the top 39% for tackles, the top 43% for aerial duels won, the top 20% for npxG+xA and the top 24% for progressive passes received over the last 12 months.

These metrics see FBref compare the 15-time capped international to some of the most prestigious centre-backs currently playing the game, the most eye-catching of which is well-reported Tottenham transfer target, Alessandro Bastoni.

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How well do you know Spurs manager Antonio Conte? Question 1. During his playing days, in which position did Conte typically operate?

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As such, while missing out on a move for Bastoni this summer will undoubtedly have come as a gutting blow to Conte, should Paratici manage to get a deal over the line for Lenglet, it would appear the Italian could well have landed one of the best possible alternatives to the Inter Milan starlet.

AND in other news: “Information I have”: Journo now drops big Spurs transfer claim, Inzaghi will be livid