Barcelona set to offer Tottenham pair escape route in intriguing exchange

An out of favour Tottenham duo could be offered a La Liga lifeline after the latest report claimed Barcelona want to take the pair in player-plus-cash deals.

Spurs have endured a turbulent season, presently culminating in their disappointing eighth position in the table.

Manager Jose Mourinho has struggled to get the best out of the squad at his disposal, prompting widespread reports of a large player turnover in the coming summer window.

Two Tottenham stars who have suffered under the Portuguese head honcho are Tanguy Ndombele and Ryan Sessesgnon.

The duo – bought for approximately a combined £80m – have become peripheral figures at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

France international Ndombele famously came in for a verbal scalding at the hands of Mourinho prior to the lockdown. While Sessegnon was most recently left off the bench in favour of untested 18-year-old left-back Dennis Cirkin.

Now, according to The Evening Standard, the duo have become targets for Spanish heavyweights Barcelona.

Their article claims that the Catalans have ‘enquired’ about the players’ availability, but would only green light a deal if Spurs were willing to accept a ‘players plus cash’ arrangement.

Both clubs have been significantly affected by the coronavirus pandemic, and that type of wheeling and dealing could be one avenue both teams explore in order to conduct summer business.

Mourinho is described as having ‘personally blocked’ Barca’s approach for Sessegnon, but the player himself is noted to be ‘frustrated’ by how his Tottenham career has fared thus far.

Ndombele, meanwhile, is said to be ‘open’ to a Spanish switch, with his French international team ambitions a serious consideration in any move he will choose to make.

A quartet of Barcelona players are cited as being ripe for departure this summer.

Nelson Semedo, Ivan Rakitic, Samuel Umtiti and Philippe Coutinho are all listed, and one or multiple could be considered if the two clubs come to the negotiating table.

Meanwhile, Tottenham have been told to ditch a defensive star in favour of a forgotten man instead.