Tottenham Hotspur could target Barcelona duo Clement Lenglet and Sergino Dest in January transfer window
According to Spanish journalist Gerard Romero Via Sport (h/t The Express), Tottenham Hotspur have identified Barcelona defenders Clement Lenglet and Sergino Dest as potential targets ahead of the January transfer window. The former need reinforcements and have shortlisted the defensive duo as options to strengthen their squad.
Antonio Conte has shown an interest in the Barca duo and they could move to N17 should Daniel Levy and Fabio Paratici convince the Catalans to sell them. The grim financial situation at Camp Nou could help our pursuit in that regard.
Spurs would face competition from Bayern Munich, who are keen on getting the services of Dest. They had previously tried to get him before the Spanish side acquired him from Ajax in 2020.
What to make of it?
The US international could be a valuable addition to our set-up as we could use a right wing-back. Matt Doherty has failed to stamp his authority in the starting lineup since his move from Wolverhampton Wanderers, which results in a lack of quality competition and backup for Emerson Royal.
The 21-year-old is also versatile and can play on the other side of the defence when needed. The fullback has done that for club and country while impressing in that role. There has been a drop in his performances since the early promise the youngster has shown but that could be down to fitness issues and failure to play consistently in his favoured position.
Lenglet is a different matter as questions can be raised whether he would be a quality option. He was solid when he played at Sevilla and was the same during his initial years for his current club. While he has failed to make himself one of the top defenders in La Liga, we could do with an addition at centre-back.
Additions in that area are somewhat necessary, considering the three-at-the-back system used by Conte. The 26-year-old may not look like a glamour signing but Conte has often succeeded at getting the best out of promising players; and if he believes the Frenchman could be a success, then the club would be smart to back that decision.
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One could defend the Barca centre-back’s arguably inconsistent showings by pointing to the lack of cohesion that is noticeable at his current club. But at N17, we have an exciting project in the works.
Apart from implementing his system, Conte may also want to bring in a few players to truly stamp his authority and identity over this current Spurs team. Whether Dest and Lenglet fall in that list remains to be seen.
