Atletico Madrid continue to delay negotiations for Barcelona outcast valued at €10 million | OneFootball

Having secured a loan move from Barcelona to Atletico Madrid last summer, Clement Lenglet has been thriving under Diego Simeone.

Even though things began a tad slowly for the French defender, he has become a regular fixture in the starting lineup for Los Rojiblancos and has been a largely reliable presence in the backline.

Lenglet has played in 29 matches this season and has even scored two goals and provided two assists.

Given his growing importance and solid displays, Atletico Madrid are interested in signing the defender permanently from Barcelona in the summer.

Atletico dragging heels in talks

However, according to SPORT, Atletico Madrid have had several opportunities to approach Barcelona directly to negotiate the future of Lenglet, but have so far avoided doing so.

Despite recent meetings between the two clubs during both league and cup fixtures, Atletico have maintained complete silence, choosing instead to stall negotiations for as long as possible.

The Colchoneros are interested in keeping the Frenchman, but they do not intend to do so at any price. As a result, the Spanish capital club have launched a poker-style strategy aimed at avoiding a transfer fee altogether, or at most, securing a deal for a token amount.

Clement Lenglet has impressed at Atletico. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Recent history shows that Atletico have often come out on top in transfer dealings with Barcelona – from David Villa and Luis Suarez to Antoine Griezmann and they are looking to do the same with Lenglet.

The centre-back himself appears to be fully on board, willing to ignore offers from elsewhere in Europe to remain at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano for at least another season.

Barcelona want at least €10 million

Barcelona are well aware that Lenglet’s market value has risen. While his current valuation stands at €7.5 million, the Catalan club believes he is worth more.

Signed from Sevilla for €35 million, Lenglet is a reliable left-footed central defender – a rare asset in today’s market. As such, Barça are targeting €10 million for his transfer. But Atletico are not interested in those terms, primarily due to the player’s wages.

Lenglet agreed to extend his contract last summer until 2027 to facilitate a loan move, with a salary-sharing arrangement, but his wages for the upcoming seasons are considered unaffordable for most European clubs, including the Rojiblancos.

Atletico are open to keeping Lenglet and taking the issue off Barcelona’s hands, but only if the Catalan club lower their demands. If not, he will return to Catalonia for pre-season – yet another headache for the sporting department.