Contract termination talks underway for 29-year-old Barcelona player | OneFootball

With the conclusion of a remarkable 2024–25 season, FC Barcelona have already begun planning to streamline their squad and balance their finances ahead of the summer transfer window.

The Catalan giants continue to grapple with La Liga’s stringent Financial Fair Play regulations, which have forced them to prioritize offloading high-earning players in order to make room for new signings and contract renewals.

One player central to this strategy is 29-year-old French defender Clement Lenglet. With a substantial salary and no role in Hansi Flick’s plans, his exit is a key priority for La Blaugrana.

Negotiations Underway for Clement Lenglet’s Exit

According to a recent report from Marca, Clement Lenglet and FC Barcelona are now negotiating the termination of the French defender’s contract, which is set to expire in June 2026.

The negotiations are complex due to the defender’s high salary, reported at €16 million gross per year, a legacy of contract renewals made during former president Bartomeu’s tenure, when parts of players’ salaries were deferred to manage the financial impact of the COVID-19 crisis.

Lenglet’s substantial wages have previously complicated efforts to sell him, resulting in successive loan spells, as neither Xavi Hernández nor Hansi Flick have included him in their plans.

With only one year remaining on his contract, Barcelona now have greater flexibility to restructure his wages, potentially facilitating a contract termination.

Financial Relief and Atlético’s Interest

Photo by Octavio Passos/Getty Images

Atlético Madrid, where he excelled during his loan spell last season, are keen to sign the French defender permanently. His participation in the upcoming Club World Cup in the United States is confirmed, as it was agreed upon between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid during his loan move last summer.

However, Barcelona are keen to finalize Lenglet’s contract termination swiftly, as it is critical for determining their Financial Fair Play leeway for the summer transfer window.

The club faces tight financial constraints, and contract renewals, such as Lamine Yamal’s, consume significant portions of the wage bill. Offloading Lenglet’s €16 million annual salary would provide substantial relief, enabling new signings. This urgency underscores the need to conclude negotiations as soon as possible.