Barcelona considering recalling loanee from Premier League club due to lack of minutes

During the summer, it was important for FC Barcelona to get rid of Clement Lenglet by any means as they were not in a position to bear his full salary due to the FFP regulations.

After attempting to sell him to Tottenham and Al Nassr, the Catalans finally ended up loaning the French centre-back to Aston Villa in the Premier League.

The Villans signed Lenglet on a season-long loan deal with no purchase option, while accepting to take up 75% of his wages, which came as a relief for Barça.

The hope was that the club could offload him permanently next summer if he plays regularly at Villa, which would help him attract suitors.

A recall on the cards?

However, that is not how things have gone for Clement Lenglet at Aston Villa, with his situation leading to growing concerns at Barcelona.

Indeed, the 28-year-old has hardly played for Unai Emery’s side so far this season, which has now prompted Barça to consider the possibility of recalling him midway through the season.

SPORT is reporting that Barcelona are mulling over the idea of bringing him back from Aston Villa in January to loan him out to a La Liga club, if regulations permit.

The Catalans’ predicament is understandable considering that Lenglet has played just three times for Villa this season, with all his appearances coming in the UEFA Europa Conference League.

The Frenchman has not played a single minute of Premier League football this term, with Emery preferring Pau Torres ahead of the Barcelona loanee.

Villa happy with Lenglet

Despite the situation being as it is, the report adds that both Villa and Lenglet himself are fairly content with the situation and believe that it can be turned around for the positive in the coming weeks.

Aston Villa are happy with the Frenchman’s professionalism and there are no issues with the defender either.

It now remains to be seen whether Barcelona would act on their thought of recalling Lenglet or let him continue in Birmingham.