Barça accelerates Lenglet's departure: key to registering signings

FC Barcelona has activated urgent mode. Clément Lenglet, a French center-back who is not in the plans of the new sports project, must leave as soon as possible. This is not just a technical issue: it is a financial priority.

Lenglet on the departure ramp: Barça wants to close his farewell before June 10. The club needs to lighten the wage bill in order to register new signings this summer. And the French defender, with one of the highest salaries, represents a blockage.

The Club World Cup, a key piece in the negotiations

Lenglet is currently on loan at Atlético de Madrid until June 30. But there is a new factor that has turned a temporary situation into a definitive operation: the Club World Cup.

The player wants to play in the tournament with the 'colchoneros' and for this, both entities must reach an agreement beyond the next two weeks. Atlético also wants him, but is playing its cards: it is trying to reduce the operation as much as possible, even obtaining the letter of freedom.

Atlético and Lenglet, total agreement; Barça is looking for compensation

The footballer has already communicated his desire to continue at Atlético. He is even willing to give up part of his salary if he manages to sign a long contract —until 2028 or 2029— with the 'rojiblancos'.

For its part, the Madrid club prefers to wait and pressure not to pay a transfer fee, protected by the player's unwavering desire.

But at Barça they still hope to receive some compensation, even if it is less. They no longer dream of the 10 million euros initially requested, but they do dream of closing an orderly exit, perhaps including future options or other types of compensation.

Deco prioritizes freeing up the file before a millionaire transfer

From the sports management, headed by Deco, the message is clear: better to free up salary than to wait for a high sale that never comes. Lenglet renewed until 2027 to defer salary amounts and that has skyrocketed his cost in the coming years. That is why Barça wants to finalize the operation before June 10.

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The president of Atlético, Enrique Cerezo, made it clear a few days ago: “The two clubs are doomed to understand each other”. He didn't say it out of institutional courtesy, but because he knows that Lenglet's will strengthens Atlético's position. A player who does not want to listen to other offers is a powerful asset.

What began as just another loan has become a definitive solution. For Barça, it is a financial escape route. For Atlético, a low-risk bet. For Lenglet, perhaps his last competitive train.

And for everyone, one more example of how in modern football, departures can be as strategic as signings.

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