DEAL TERMINATED: Tottenham target Barcelona centre-back but Spurs move as side ask for £25m to get deal done

Recent Tottenham loanee Clement Lenglet reportedly “wants to return” to the club, and Barcelona are asking for £25million in order to sell him.

For a lot of the summer transfer window, Spurs have been targeting centre-backs. Last season, only Southampton, Leeds United, Leicester City and Nottingham Forest conceded more goals than them; three of those sides were relegated.

As such, Ange Postecoglou is seemingly doing everything in his power to ensure the side aren’t as poor at the back as they were before he joined.

Lenglet, who was on loan at Spurs last season, is one of their top targets. Postecoglou has followed suit from his predecessor Antonio Conte in attempting to sign the Frenchman – a report in July suggested negotiations were ‘advancing’ for that deal.

Things have quietened down since then, and AC Milan have entered the frame. Indeed, the Serie A side are ‘seriously considering’ an approach for Lenglet, as per a report.

Journalist Marta Fernandez states that interest might not be as dangerous as it seems, as the centre-back only has eyes on a move back to his employers from last season.

“We have received this news from Milan but the player wants to return to Tottenham,” Fernandez told TV Play.

“He has a high salary and the request is 15 million euros.”

That equates to around £13million. While Tottenham shouldn’t find it a problem paying that fee, there’s a chance they simply don’t want to.

Indeed, reports have previously stated they were unwilling to pay £10million. With Barcelona apparently now asking for north of that, the chances of them doing so seem slim

That’s especially true given Spurs are about to part with £43million for Micky van de Ven. Indeed, Fabrizio Romano has stated there’s now a verbal agreement in place with Wolsfburg for that transfer.

As such, Spurs might want to avoid spending much more money. Given there’s a star centre-back about to join the club, it might be unnecessary for them to do so for another central defender.

While Lenglet wants the move, Barcelona may have to lower their asking price if they want to make a sale to Tottenham. On the other hand, Milan might be willing to pay the fee.