Barcelona could renew defensive outcast’s contract before loan exit – report

Barcelona are eagerly working on the exit operations so that they can part ways with some of the out-of-favour stars and ensure the registration of new signing Dani Olmo in time to face Athletic Club this weekend.

Progress is being made with Vitor Roque as a transfer to Sporting CP is said to be edging closer while Ilkay Gundogan is also said to have agreed to leave the club.

Another player that Barcelona intend to part ways with is Clement Lenglet with a loan move to Atletico Madrid already in the works.

Barcelona consider extending Lenglet’s contract before loaning him out

However, according to a report from RAC1 (h/t Catalunya Radio), Barcelona are considering extending Clement Lenglet’s contract before sanctioning his loan move to Atletico Madrid.

Lenglet’s contract with Barcelona runs until 2026. The former Sevilla man is on wages worth around €16 million per year.

The idea would be to renew his contract so as to divide his salary over a prolonged period.

Atletico Madrid did something similar with Joao Felix before loaning him out to Barcelona last year while the Catalans themselves had utilised the tactic with Samuel Umtiti back in 2022 to help register Ferran Torres at the time.

Lenglet played a lot of minutes during pre-season and is even understood to have impressed manager Hansi Flick. But the defensive overbooking in the squad and his wages make it impossible for him to stay.

Given the lack of takers on a permanent transfer, another loan stint is seen as the best way possible and Atletico Madrid are the best-placed club to sign him.

An agreement in principle already exists between the French defender and Los Rojiblancos and now the two clubs must work out the details before the switch can be finalised.