Out-of-favour Barcelona defender has good chances of staying amidst La Liga interest

Amidst swirling rumours about a potential move to Atletico Madrid and Real Sociedad, recent reports from Mundo Deportivo suggest that Clement Lenglet might have a strong chance of remaining at Barcelona. 

Although his departure seemed imminent earlier, the situation has taken a turn. This is because Hansi Flick has expressed a favourable opinion about Lenglet’s performance and has not yet dismissed him from his plans for the upcoming season.

Lenglet, who has been on loan over the past two years, was initially thought to be heading elsewhere, possibly even to Saudi Arabia or various teams in La Liga and Ligue 1. 

However, with a contract that extends until 2026, the French defender might still play a significant role at Barça for the 2024-2025 season, as Flick values Lenglet’s experience, and his recent performances have not been overlooked.

Clement Lenglet impressed Hansi Flick

In his pre-season debut against Manchester City, Lenglet made a strong impression. He captained a youthful squad and led a defence that lacked several key starters. 

Shortly after this impressive performance, he was linked with Atletico Madrid, who are on the lookout for a left-footed centre-back following the departure of Mario Hermoso. 

Clement Lenglet is wanted by several teams. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Although Barça acknowledge Atletico’s interest, the proposal for a loan is still far from reaching an agreement. Real Sociedad, meanwhile, have shifted their focus to replacing Robin Le Normand who has moved to Atletico.

Despite the transfer speculation, Lenglet remains focused on Barcelona’s tour of the United States, determined to enhance his chances of staying with the club. 

There is a big problem

In any way, a major hurdle for any team interested in signing Lenglet is his substantial salary. Sources close to the player indicate that he is unaware of Real Sociedad’s interest. 

If a viable financial and sporting proposal emerges, they would consider whether Lenglet, who spent last season on loan at Aston Villa and the previous one at Tottenham, would be a good fit.

Although Lenglet has been linked with clubs in Saudi Arabia, he has not shown interest in moving to the Asian league for now. He is currently under Flick, who appreciates his playing style. 

However, the club remains cautious about keeping a player with such a high salary, especially if he is not going to be a regular starter.