Contact made: Paratici in talks for £99k-p/w Spurs target, he's "similar to Laporte" - opinion

Tottenham Hotspur are interested in a deal to bring Clement Lenglet to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the summer transfer window.

That’s according to a report by Spanish publication Sport (via Sport Witness), who claim that Fabio Paratici has now made contact with Barcelona concerning a move for the 26-year-old centre-back this summer.

The report goes on to state that Arsenal, Newcastle United and Everton have also made contact with the LaLiga side regarding a deal for the France international, while the player himself is believed to be open to a temporary move away from the Camp Nou after being informed he is not currently a part of Xavi’s first-team plans.

While it is true that Lenglet has seen his game time become rather limited following Xavi’s appointment at Barca back in November, it is nevertheless easy to see why Antonio Conte would be interested in a move to bring the left-footed Frenchman to north London in the summer transfer window.

Indeed, according to FBref data, the £34m-rated talent ranks in the top 1% of centre-backs in Europe’s big five leagues for passes attempted per 90, as well as the top 1% for progressive passes, the top 1% for progressive carries, the top 18% for passes completed, the top 6% for assists and the top 10% for xA over the last 365 days.

The £99k-per-week defender who Andrew Gaffney dubbed “similar to Laporte” also ranks in the top 15% for pressures per 90, in addition to the top 39% for tackles, the top 43% for aerial duels won, the top 20% for npxG+xA and the top 24% for progressive passes received over the last 12 months.

These metrics see FBref compare the 15-time capped international to some of the most exciting defensive talents in world football, such as Bayern Munich’s Dayot