A Barcelona defender, who has previously been out of favor at the club, is close to a permanent transfer to Atletico Madrid.
The defender, now on loan at Atletico, has done well enough this season to persuade Diego Simeone to keep him in Madrid for good.
With no purchase option in the loan agreement and Barcelona refusing to accept a fee for the player, a mutual termination is under discussion.
This would allow the defender to join Atletico on a free transfer and put an end to a challenging period, in just under two years, with the Catalan giants.
The defender, in this case, is Clement Lenglet, a 29-year-old Frenchman, whose current deal with Barcelona runs until 2027, as reported by Mundo Deportivo.
Lenglet has developed under Simeone with Atletico, and played in 32 of Atletico’s 34 fixtures so far in the current season.
He has shown a calm presence at the back with three goals and two assists, and has established himself as an important player in a squad that competes at the top end of La Liga and the Champions League.
His performances earned him a recall to former France national team coach Didier Deschamps, as he played in the semi-finals of the Nations League against Spain, after previously being isolated at Barcelona.
Atletico have a deal prepared for Lenglet that would equal the fixed salary of €3 million he has at Barcelona, plus up to €1 million in performance bonuses.
It is believed that discussions will move forward at a higher pace following the Nations League third-place match this Sunday vs Germany.
This would not only be near-perfect timing for Atletico due to obtaining the bond in the Club World Cup, but also an opportunity for Lenglet to have a fresh start.
Want to get the latest Barcelona news direct to your phone? Join our WhatsApp community by clicking here.
