Atletico Madrid is intensifying their pursuit of a Barcelona defender, aiming to resolve a key transfer saga with two potential exit routes on the table.
With the transfer window approaching, the Catalan giants are looking to get rid of high earners to lessen their wage bill, and a solution seems to be in the works for the defender who has no future with Hansi Flick next season.
As per reports from Ruben Uria, Atletico Madrid are ramping up their pursuit of Clement Lenglet while he is on loan with the club.
The player is of interest to Atletico and may want to pursue a one-year loan extension or wait for Barcelona to terminate the deal, thus allowing for an easy contract termination.
Lenglet has been considered a high-priced player due to lower guaranteed payment in deferred contracts for the Bartomeu years, and is a healthy target for Barcelona to cut loose as they initiate these contracts.
Barcelona is unwilling to outright terminate the defender, given his situation and acceptable form, but he is still in the high-yield band.
Atletico views Lenglet as a useful rotation player, not a marquee signing, because they want a major defensive signing this summer.
Discussions have dragged on due to Atletico’s reluctance to take on his full salary.
The salary issue is still the number one issue. While the two clubs, along with Lenglet, are trying to come up with a solution, it is mostly going to be on economic terms.
An important meeting will be taking place at the end of the season to determine how both clubs move forward, likely involving either a loan or termination.
The reason for Barcelona’s urgency to put this matter to bed has to do with the club’s financial restructuring, and Atletico wants to add to their squad while spending as little as possible.
The outcome of the meetings and future direction of both clubs may impact player acquisitions for both defenses, with Lenglet at the center of it all.
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