Clement Lenglet’s loan success at Atletico Madrid has left Barcelona in a vulnerable position this summer.
The French center back, who couldn’t get a footing in his first year, is now a valuable wheel in Diego Simeone’s defense, playing 29 times and scoring and assisting two goals.
According to Diario Sport, his turnaround has seen Atletico chase a permanent deal, but not Barcelona’s.
The Catalan team values Lenglet at €10 million because of his left-sided defensive skills and improved form. Atletico, however, who are renowned for hard-bargaining with Barcelona, are employing tactics of slow play, hoping to either reduce the price significantly or sign him on a free transfer.
It is a tactic they have employed in the past for Luis Suárez and Antoine Griezmann, where they have been able to secure good deals.
Compounding the complication is Lenglet’s salary.
While the player extended his Barcelona contract to 2027 to facilitate the loan, his pay remains a thorn to most clubs, including Atletico.
The defender would like to stay in Madrid but requires both clubs to agree.
With negotiations in complete deadlock, Barcelona is faced with the task of having to reintroduce an unwanted player into their preseason roster.
Herein lies Barcelona’s ongoing financial struggles and Atletico’s negotiating acumen, the ingredients for what can be a transfer saga as the two clubs compete with each other for position in what can be another lopsided trade between the two Spanish giants.
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