Barcelona’s brilliant display this season has helped them to reach the peak as the Catalans are very strongly positioned in the La Liga race having started the campaign on a bright note. They are currently the favourites to lift the La Liga title for the second time in the last three seasons but there are certain parts that need to be rectified and defence is one of them.
According to reports, Barcelona are tracking Sevilla defender Clement Lenglet. The Spanish giants are short of options in the backline and any injury to Gerard Pique or Samuel Umtiti will leave them open badly in this season.
Barcelona were linked with a number of defenders in the summer but Ernesto Valverde decided to go ahead with the available options at his disposal and also recalled Thomas Vermaelen from his loan spell at AS Roma.
But now with the season at its crucial stage, Valverde thinks he needs to push his side a little bit to maintain their current form. Lenglet has impressed in the heart of the Sevilla defence. Despite their erratic performance, the France U21 international has taken the Spanish top tier by storm and his display has triggered an interest from the Blaugrana.
The 22-year-old came through the Academy of French club Nancy and his impressive display earned him a big move to the Spanish club during last January and since then he has displayed a great level of calibre.
Barcelona do need a cover in the defensive section as early as possible. Vermaelen has a large possibility to depart in January as he has gone frustrated with his lack of game time while Javier Mascherano has been linked with a move back to Liverpool.
Gerard Pique’s on and off form for the Catalans has left them bleeding on some occasions so a move for the young French defender needs to be done immediately it seems. Barcelona shouldn’t have any problem paying his €30 million release clause but the player seems to be taking a foot ahead as he wants to be a part of Didier Deschamps’s World Cup squad and for, that he needs to play quite regularly for his side to attract the attention of the France gaffer.
Barcelona have watched the player on several occasions this season and he could be one of the several entrants at the Camp Nou when the transfer window opens in January.
