First summer signing ‘advancing’ for Tottenham as Levy triggers €14m transfer option for Conte driven target

Tottenham have opened talks with Barcelona over the signing of a player who looks set to become their first confirmed arrival of the 2023 summer window.

Much is going on at Spurs right now with the club having this week parted company with Antonio Conte. The Italian’s departure – just 16 months after his arrival – means the club are now seeking a fourth boss in less than three four years.

Conte departs with the club in fourth place and still in with a chance of qualifying for next season’s Champions League. However, with Newcastle and Liverpool breathing down their necks, interim boss Cristian Stellini will need a positive response from his players.

However, the search for his successor is already well underway. Julian Nagelsmann remains the favourite, though competition for the former Bayern Munich boss is intense. Furthermore, he wants a ‘period of reflection’ away from the game, making his appointment only possible from the summer.

They do have other options, that said, with former coach Mauricio Pochettino also among the contenders.

However, one currently-successful Dutch candidate has quickly been warned off the Tottenham ‘graveyard’ by one observer.

Whoever they go for, the new manager will be inherting a hugely-talented squad. Indeed, Conte was allowed to spend the thick chunk of £200m during his time at the Tottenham helm.

And one of those deals he put in place now looks ready to make the move permanent this summer.

Indeed, Clement Lenglet arrived at the club back in July on a season-long loan from Barcelona.

The deal did not contain an option to buy, but Barcelona’s desire to move the player on is well documented.

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Barcelona willing to sell Clement Lenglet to Spurs

Indeed, with Eric Garcia, Andreas Christensen, Jules Kounde and Ronald Araujo on their books, they are well blessed for centre-halves.

Furthermore, they are also on the brink of announcing the free-transfer signing of Inigo Martinez from Athletic Bilbao to further enhance their options.

As a result, Lenglet has been told he has no future at Barcelona.

Now, according to Sport, Lenglet has ‘convinced’ Tottenham to make the move permanent. As such, chairman Daniel Levy has opened talks with officials at the Catalonian giants to seal the Frenchman’s signature.

It is understood that Barcelona will not stand in Tottenham’s way, either, with a figure of just £12.3m (€14m) being discussed.

And the report claims talks are progressing quickly with the move ‘advancing’ quickly

Lenglet has featured in 27 games for Spurs, scoring his first goal in the Champions League clash against Marseille.

Most comfortable on the left side of a back three, Lenglet’s form for Spurs has been indifferent to say the least. However, the capture of him for just £12.3m makes perfect sense given his experience in the game.

Whoever the next boss is for Tottenham will hope Lenglet makes further improvements during his second season in England.

And the Frenchman will hope to become a permanent fixture in the side under whoever the new man is.

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