Barcelona set sights on impressive Sevilla centre back

Barcelona set sights on impressive Sevilla centre back

Así jugaba Lenglet en Francia / | YOUTUBE

He's 22, alraedy plays in La Liga and is one of the most impressive players so far

The French defender has taken a step forward under Eduardo Berizzo

Clement Lenglet, Sevilla's French centre-back, has become one of the most promising players in European football. His evolution at the Andalusian club has not been surprising, with coach Eduardo Berizzo using him more than any other player.

Barcelona have been monitoring him for months. This summer there was some contact and along with Inigo Martinez of Real Sociedad, Barcelona thought about him to reinforce their back-line. His good form has only increased Barcelona's desire to sign him.

Lenglet is another correct signing by former Sevilla sporting director Monchi. He brought Lenglet in at 21 years old, halfway through last season, and he has adapted perfectly to the Spanish league.

In the present campaign he has improved further still and it's likely he will be in Didier Deschamps's France squad for the 2018 World Cup.

Lenglet is not just attractive from a sporting point of view but an economic one too - he has a contract until 2021 and a release fee clause of 30 million euros.

Two Premier league sides are interested but relations between Barcelona and the player's people are fluid. Lenglet is fast, has leadership and brings the ball out well. He's a left-footed player too.

Sevilla are not willing to sell him for any less than the 30m in his clause. So there is no negotiation possible, even though Sevilla and Barcelona are on good terms. The Catalans would like a defender in January and then another in the summer if Javier Mascherano goes.

Lenglet would fit better into the second category. 

Aleix Vidal COULD BE THE KEY

It's no secret that Sevilla want Aleix Vidal back in the winter window. The Andalusian side tried to get him last season but Luis Enrique decided to keep him. Now the situation is different.

Vidal knows he's not needed and Barcelona have opeend the doors for him, although Sevilla will not want to spent a lot. The player is willing to take a pay cut to go back and he could even be loaned.