Sources: Clement Lenglet’s Aston Villa deal could be terminated
Barcelona could terminate defender Clement Lenglet’s Aston Villa loan in the January transfer window, sources have told Football Insider.
The 28-year-old is yet to play a single Premier League minute for Unai Emery’s side after signing on a season-long deal in the summer window.
Lenglet could now return to Barcelona in the new year – who will then look to sell him on in the January window.
The Catalan giants need to raise funds for business of their own in 2024 amid ongoing financial problems at the club.
Lenglet is believed to earn around £204,000-a-week at parent club Barcelona, although it is unknown how much of that salary is being paid by Villa.
A well-placed source has told Football Insider that AC Milan are interested in signing Lenglet in the new year – with a move to San Siro one possible option open to the France international.
The 28-year-old has made five starts in the Europa Conference League so far this season but was left out of the squad entirely for the 1-1 draw against Zrinjski Mostar last week (14 December).
He has been on the bench for each of Villa’s Premier League fixtures this term but is yet to be called upon by manager Emery.
Lenglet spent the 2022-23 campaign on loan at Spurs and made 35 appearances across all competitions – starting in 32 of those outings.
The left-footer is under contract at Barcelona until June 2026.
Aston Villa sit second in the Premier League after 17 games and have progressed to the knockout stages of the Europa Conference League.
Defenders Pau Torres, Diego Carlos and Ezri Konsa have started regularly for Emery’s side in the 2023-24 campaign so far.
In other news, Aston Villa owners to fund big January signing blitz.