Aston Villa are reportedly already looking to the summer transfer window, with reports in Spain suggesting that Unai Emery is yet to rule out a permanent move for Clement Lenglet.
Aston Villa are firmly focused on their crucial run-in to the end of the 2023/24 calendar, which could see Unai Emery’s side secure Champions League football for next season.
Aside from their remaining 12 Premier League games, the Midlands club are also bracing for their blockbuster Europa Conference League battle with Ajax, which is to take place next month over two legs.
Despite the club’s focus needing to solely be on things happening on the pitch at present, there is speculation that Emery could already be considering his first signing of the summer transfer window.
What reports have said about the future of Clement Lenglet at Aston Villa
In a report published by Spanish news outlet Sport, it’s speculated that Villa could consider making a U-turn regarding their stance on current loan player, Clement Lenglet.
The 28-year-old joined Villa on a season-long loan from Barcelona on deadline day in the summer, with Sport reporting that the Frenchman could be offered the chance to extend his stay in England.
The report details that the Villans are ‘not ruling out a purchase’ for the centre-back at the end of the season, adding that the club are ‘already talking’ about the proposition of signing him permanently.
What is interesting about the claims is that Lenglet’s loan deal did not include a simple option-to-buy clause, however, it would be expected that the Catalan giants would be open to selling the defender, who has been away from the club for two seasons.
Clement Lenglet has turned his fortune around at Aston Villa
If the news is to be believed, then the story of Lenglet’s time at Villa this season could read a host of lows that blossomed into unexpected highs.
It was only in January that the Frenchman was linked with a premature move back to Barcelona due to his lack of game time at Villa Park, something that quickly changed due to the squad’s injury situation.
Amid the absences of Pau Torres, Diego Carlos, Ezri Konsa and Tyrone Mings, Villa would have been doomed without Lenglet, who has not only proven to be suitable cover for the defence but has impressed.
Earlier this month, the Frenchman was lauded by Matty Cash as being a “brilliant” asset in Villa’s back line, based on his adaptability when paired with Pau Torres, who had at that point just returned from injury.
Despite starting life solely as an outsider in the Midlands, the 28-year-old’s strong mentality and performances have seen him turn into a potential candidate for Emery to recruit in the summer.
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