Two LaLiga rivals could 'help' FC Barcelona with their main discard

The future of Clément Lenglet is one of the big questions in the FC Barcelona transfer market. The Frenchman returned to Barcelona once his loan at Aston Villa ended, and after spending two seasons on loan in the Premier League (first with Tottenham and then with the Villains), he continues to have 'a foot and a half' outside the Barça changing rooms despite their good performance in the preseason. The 'overbooking' of central defenders, added to his high salary, 'force' him to leave the club, so he would be in negotiations to find a new team.

Several teams have shown their interest in acquiring the services of the defender, especially from Saudi Arabia, but this option was decisively rejected by the player since his desire is to continue competing in the European elite. In that sense, the 29-year-old player would have two 'girlfriends' in Spain, the first of them being Villarreal. The Castellón team is looking for a center back and the Frenchman fits into Marcelino García Toral's plans, but hiring him would not be easy due to the high emoluments received by the player.

The case of Atlético de Madrid is different, as they would have the means to incorporate the defender into Diego Simeone's ranks. The colchoneros have been one of the great entertainers of the market, and after finalizing the arrivals of Julián Álvarez, Sorloth, Gallagher and Le Normand, they would be looking for a left-footed center back to close their squad for next season. Profiles like those of Hancko or Hincapié (two other alternatives studied by the Indians) are very expensive as they have more posters on the continent, so Lenglet is presented as the most affordable option economically speaking.

The 'key' to Joao Félix's return?

That is why the Cívitas Metropolitanos offices would have 'accelerated' to get Clément hired. According to 'SPORT', the red and white team would have the lead in the 'race' for the footballer and they will speed up negotiations so that 'Cholo' can have the defender in his team in the coming weeks. The good relationship between both clubs would facilitate the operation, and Barça could take advantage of the conversations to include Joao Félix's name in the deal. If the culés remain interested in the Portuguese, the entities could 'help each other' with their discards, since Atleti intends to 'get rid' of 'Menino' before the market closes.

Flick will have the last word

However, Lenglet's future remains open. The footballer has a contract in force until 2026 and continues to carry out the preseason with the Blaugrana first team. The player's performance on the tour of the United States positively surprised Hansi Flick, who does not rule out his continuity in Barcelona. The German will have the last word in the Frenchman's operation, since if his final decision is not to have him in his squad, his departure through a loan with a purchase option is on the table, a scenario that would also help the financial 'fair play' of the institution.

However, another factor could influence Clément's fate. And the registration of Iñigo Martínez continues to be one of the pending folders of the Barcelona entity. The Biscayan defender's stay in the Catalan locker room remains a question mark, and if he remains like this, the chances of Lenglet starting the new campaign wearing the Barça shirt will be even greater.