Following the terrible injury to Tyrone Mings, Aston Villa are looking for centre back cover, with Clement Lenglet linked.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Villa are interested in the Barcelona centre back as a defensive option.
Starting centre half, Mings, suffered a knee injury on opening day versus Newcastle United and is set to be out for a lengthy period.
As a result, Unai Emery is interested in bringing in another centre back option.
There are multiple suitors for Lenglet, but the Villains are one of the best prospects for the Frenchman.
The form of Pau Torres, Ezri Konsa and Diego Carlos in the past two weeks has been superb, but cover is needed.
Should Aston Villa sign Clement Lenglet?
Last season, Lenglet was on loan at Tottenham Hotspur where he made 26 appearances.
Despite not ripping up any trees he was a consistently positive performer in a faltering side.
The deal hasn’t been made permanent by the North Londoners and Barca seem to want shot of him.
He would fit into Emery’s system well, comfortable with the ball at his feet and passing out from the back.
Like Torres, Lenglet likes to carry the ball out of defence. He is in the top 6% of all centre backs in Europe’s top five leagues for progressive carries.
By comparison, the Spaniard is in the top 2%.
A left footed centre back, he would provide perfect cover for Torres. Statistically and physically similar.
This window has shown that Villa aren’t afraid to take a loan deal with option to buy, in Nicolo Zaniolo.
This sort of deal could be ideal with Lenglet. Give him time to bed in and if he is good enough, pay at the end of the season.
On loan this is a sensible signing, and represents great improvements in squad depth.
