With just a week and a half to go before the summer transfer market closes at midnight on Friday 30 August, Clément Lenglet is one of the FC Barcelona players still looking for a new team. The Catalan club is keen to complete his exit to create salary space for other transfers and signings, such as the upcoming move of Dani Olmo. Despite interest from Atlético de Madrid and Villarreal, Lenglet has always preferred to join Atlético, but no deal has been finalised between Barça and Atlético. Barcelona is cautious as Atlético is a direct competitor in La Liga, Copa del Rey and the Champions League.
Lenglet hopes an agreement will be reached before the transfer window closes, but insists he only wants to join Atlético and is not considering any other options from Barcelona. If no agreement is reached, Lenglet, 29, is willing to stay at Barcelona this season. According to Mundo Deportivo, he is not willing to extend his contract to further delay salary payments if he stays at Barça.
The French international was one of four players, including Marc ter Stegen, Frenkie de Jong and Gerard Piqué, who agreed to extend their contracts with Barcelona in October 2020 to help the club during the financial strain caused by the pandemic.
Lenglet is committed to continuing to play in the top leagues in Europe, and Atleticohe could have the chance to do so at the upcoming 32-team Club World Cup. This exciting tournament is scheduled to take place from 15 June to 13 July 2025 in the United StatesThe French defender had the opportunity to showcase his skills in two games during a tour in the USA under the guidance of Hansi Flick: He played 74 minutes against Manchester City and 60 minutes against Milan. Before these games he watched the Clasico against real Madrid from the sidelines.
If he is loaned to AtleticoIt would be his third loan in a row, after he did so at Tottenham And Aston Villa the two previous seasons.
This content has been translated and adapted from the Spanish version of the digital newspaper
