End of the soap opera! FC Barcelona manages to get rid of its big summer discard

Published:23/08/2024 - 21:51h

Updated:24/08/2024 - 01:55h

Barça have closed the deal on Clément Lenglet. The centre-back will renew his contract until 2027 to be able to defer it for more years and will go on loan to Atlético de Madrid, which will assume a good part of his salary

The Clément Lenglet case took a new 180-degree turn. Last Friday, it was rumoured that FC Barcelona feared the Frenchman's deal would fall through after Atlético de Madrid tried to secure the services of their favourite for the left-footed defender, David Hancko. However, the salary cap has prevented the club from signing the Feyenoord defender and the board has reactivated the signing of the French centre-back, much more affordable financially as it does not require a transfer fee.

In this regard, the journalist specialising in transfers, Fabrizio Romano, has reported that the offices of Cívitas Metropolitanos accelerated negotiations and have already reached an agreement for the footballer to wear the red and white shirt next season. To facilitate his departure, Barça will extend the defender's contract for one more season, until 2027, in order to be able to defer his salary for more years.

This formula allows Atleti to assume the majority of the player's salary, a fundamental condition for the Catalans to be able to open the door to Madrid. The Catalans could not afford the Frenchman's salary, valued at 16 million euros gross, as they have other top-level centre-backs in their squad and need to increase the team's salary margin. For his part, the defender was willing to change teams and make an economic effort, but he refused to listen to offers from Saudi Arabia as his idea is to continue competing in the European elite.

For this reason, the Atlético de Madrid alternative appeared to be the most satisfactory for all involved. The player will be part of a competitive project, Barça is freed from one of the highest salaries in the first team and Diego Simeone gets his desired left-footed centre-back, a profile needed in the Madrid squad after Mario Hermoso left the ranks of 'Cholo'.

The announcement is imminent

Thus, the newspaper 'SPORT' has reported that Lenglet will immediately travel to the Spanish capital to undergo the respective medical tests on Saturday 24th and, if he passes them satisfactorily, the announcement of his transfer will be made official in the following hours. This move could be key to the registration of Dani Olmo, the big pending issue for the Blaugrana entity on the eve of the league debut in Montjuïc against Athletic Club.