Aston Villa have completed the signing of France International defender Clement Lenglet on a loan deal from Barcelona for the rest of the season.
The move took place after the Villans engaged in lengthy negotiations with Barcelona regarding the transfer of the 28-year-old center-back.
The Midlands club have been actively seeking a left-sided center-back to provide support for Pau Torres after Tyrone Mings suffered a significant injury during the initial weeks of the current season.
It is understood that Aston Villa are covering approximately 75% of Lenglet’s salary while he is with the club, while Barcelona will be responsible for the remaining 25%.
Fabrizio Romano also confirmed that Aston Villa have successfully acquired the services of Clement Lenglet on a loan deal from Barcelona and they will be covering 75% of Lenglet’s salary as part of the agreement.
Villa’s sporting director, Monchi, once acquired Lenglet during his tenure at Sevilla for approximately £4 million before Lenglet was later transferred to Barcelona for £30 million in 2018.
Lenglet’s exit from Barcelona occurred after the Catalans expressed a strong desire to sell him as his wages are believed to be one of the major financial challenges for the club.
Meanwhile, Lenglet has been actively seeking a way out of Barcelona ever since he was informed that he would not be included in Xavi’s plans for the upcoming season.
The defender was loaned to Tottenham where he made 35 appearances in the Premier League last season but was not signed permanently due to a series of struggles in north London.
Lenglet will now return to the top division in England to offer Unai Emery additional defensive options as he continues his revolution at Villa.
The 28-year-old center-back will now be vying for a starting position in the heart of the defense alongside other strong contenders such as Torres, Ezri Konsa, Diego Carlos, and Kortney Hause.
After suffering a heavy defeat against Newcastle United on the first day of the season, Unai Emery’s team has bounced back impressively, winning four consecutive matches in various competitions.
In these victories, Aston Villa have managed to score an impressive total of 15 goals.
Lenglet’s presence will undoubtedly bring more productivity to Villa who are on the brink of securing a spot in the Europa Conference League group stage after a convincing 5-0 victory over Hibernian in the first leg.
The France international has become Villa’s fifth signing of the summer, following the acquisitions of Moussa Diaby, Pau Torres, Nicolo Zaniolo, and Youri Tielemans.
Meet Aston Villa’s latest signing Clement Lenglet
Clément Nicolas Laurent Lenglet (born 17 June 1995) is a French professional footballer who plays as a center-back for Premier League club Aston Villa, on loan from La Liga club Barcelona and the France national team.
Clement Lenglet’s club career
Lenglet began his career with Nancy, making 85 appearances from his debut in 2013, and winning the Ligue 2 title in the 2015–16 season.
In January 2017, he joined Sevilla for a €5.4 million fee where he went on to make 73 appearances, scoring 4 goals, in 18 months before joining Barcelona for €35 million.
Lenglet’s international career
Lenglet made his debut for the France national team in 2019, and represented the nation at UEFA Euro 2020.
What Next for Lenglet and Aston Villa
This Sunday, the Villans will be visiting Anfield to lock horns with Klopp’s side, after a remarkable 8-0 aggregate victory against Hibernian.
Meanwhile, Lenglet is expected to make his debut for his new team during their upcoming Premier League match against Liverpool on Sunday, September 3rd.
