The future of Clément Lenglet is once again at the center of FC Barcelona's concerns. The French center-back, who had found some prominence under Simeone's direction at Atlético Madrid, will not continue at the Metropolitano. His loan ends, and the red-and-white club has ruled out any continuity.
At Camp Nou, the outlook is not more encouraging. Hansi Flick has directly communicated to the sports management that the defender doesn't fit into his work scheme. Thus, Barça faces another headache in the offices.
Hansi Flick | @FCBarcelona
Rejected by Atlético, discarded by Barça
Lenglet arrived in Madrid as a temporary solution, just after renewing with Barcelona. The agreement included a sharing of his salary between both clubs. Simeone came to trust him for several matches, even giving him key starting positions.
However, some errors at crucial moments, including compromising penalties, have undermined his reliability within the Atlético locker room. As a result, the decision not to continue with him is already made at the Wanda Metropolitano.
With Atleti's refusal, the defender must return to the Barça discipline in July. But there is no place for him: Flick doesn't consider him even for the preseason training. His contract, valid until 2027, and his high salary make it almost impossible to find a buyer in Europe.
Simeone doesn't want him | @simeone
No real market in Europe, but with exotic options
The club hoped for a possible sale with a discount or even a new loan. But the lack of interest from Atlético and Lenglet's contractual conditions make the operation very complicated. His high salary is a barrier for any possible transfer.
Villarreal has shown some curiosity but ended up withdrawing for economic reasons. In the Premier League, his stint at Tottenham was acceptable, but at Aston Villa his role has been minimal.
In Saudi Arabia, however, there is real interest. Al-Nassr has already contacted his entourage to explore a possible signing. Nevertheless, the player prioritizes continuing to compete in Europe.
The sports management has already made it clear to his agent that they do not consider granting him a free transfer. The club hopes to recover part of the investment or, at the very least, avoid paying a termination indemnity. However, it is internally assumed that it will not be easy to find a suitable destination.
A new uncomfortable case at Can Barça
Flick has been categorical: he doesn't want him even for the initial training sessions. The risk of having him back this summer without an exit agreement is high. His presence is perceived as an unnecessary distraction amid a deep team restructuring.
The situation threatens to become another summer saga for Barça. The urgency to reduce the wage bill clashes with the reality of a player who can't find a place. And the clock is ticking: the market has not yet started, but the problem is already present.
