Bologna eyeing Barcelona star as Riccardo Calafiori replacement | OneFootball

The powers that be at Serie A outfit Bologna have identified an out-of-favour member of the defensive ranks at Barcelona as a potential summer signing.

That’s according to Diario Sport, who point towards Clément Lenglet as the player in question.

Frenchman Lenglet, for his part, is widely expected to be on the move once more this summer, not in the plans of incoming Barcelona boss Hansi Flick.

To date, the Blaugrana have been unable to find a new home for the Frenchman, despite interest in his services on the part of a host of clubs.

Deco and co, in turn, will no doubt be interested to hear of another suitor this week positioning themselves in the race for Lenglet, too.

As per Sport, the outfit in question comes in the form of Bologna.

The Rossoblu are known to be on the lookout for left-footed defensive reinforcements this summer, ahead of the impending departure of star stopper Riccardo Calafiori.

And Lenglet is understood to have been earmarked as one such option.

The major obstacle holding up any potential deal between the clubs, however, comes in the form of the former Sevilla man’s wages.

Though Lenglet would be interested in linking up with a Bologna outfit bound for the Champions League next season, the surprise Serie A high-flyers simply cannot come close to meeting the player’s hefty wage demands.

The only viable route towards a deal would therefore come in the form of one in which Barcelona cover a portion of Lenglet’s pay, with Bologna taking over the remaining sum.

It now remains to be seen whether as much is of interest to the Camp Nou board.

Conor Laird | GSFN