Barcelona want €10 million for defensive outcast as Atletico Madrid eye permanent move | OneFootball

Clement Lenglet signed for Atletico Madrid on loan in the summer transfer window, marking his third consecutive temporary spell away from FC Barcelona, after stints at Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa.

After a slow start in the Spanish capital, the French defender seized his opportunity following an injury to Robin Le Normand and is now a regular starter with Atletico manager Diego Simeone fully trusting him.

Atletico want to keep Lenglet, Barcelona want €10 million

So much so that, SPORT reports that Simeone has already urged Atletico Madrid’s sporting management to secure Lenglet’s permanent signing from Barcelona in the summer.

The former Sevilla centre-back’s professionalism, composure, and defensive reliability have impressed the Argentine coach, who is eager to keep him at the club beyond this season.

Atletico want to sign Lenglet permanently. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

So far, no formal negotiations have taken place between the two clubs, but Atletico Madrid intend to approach Barcelona as the season nears its end.

The Spanish capital club’s preference is a permanent transfer, a move that aligns with Barça’s plans, though an extension of the current loan deal is also a possibility.

As per the report, Barcelona will seek a transfer fee of €10 million for Lenglet – a figure that the Colchoneros are reluctant to pay, knowing that the Frenchman is not in the Catalan club’s plans and they need to sell him to comply with Financial Fair Play regulations.

Furthermore, relations between the two clubs have been strained recently due to Atletico Madrid raising obstacles in Barcelona’s attempted registrations of Dani Olmo and Pau Victor in January. As such, negotiations are expected to be tricky.

From the player’s perspective, Lenglet is enjoying his time at Atletico Madrid and would be open to staying beyond this season. However, he is aware that one of the conditions for a permanent transfer may be him accepting a salary reduction.