Atletico Madrid Confirms Signing Defender Clement Lenglet From Barcelona

Barcelona center-back Clement Lenglet has joined Atletico Madrid on loan for this season, with no buy option included, according to the clubs involved.

The 29-year-old will spend his first season in three years in Spanish football.

Lenglet is reportedly set to extend his contract with Barcelona for an additional season, now running until 2027.

This extension allows him to spread a reported €32 million gross salary over the remaining two years of his deal, which has a key role in Atletico agreeing to a loan arrangement.

The French defender expressed a strong desire to work alongside Simeone and was determined to secure a move to Los Colchoneros.

They get the left-footed central defender they have been looking for all summer, albeit seemingly relinquishing any remaining hopes of signing Feyenoord’s David Hancko and Bayer Leverkusen’s Piero Hincapie, who were their priority targets.

Barcelona can offload one of their highest salaries for an additional year, following two seasons on loan at Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur, respectively.

With an abundance of central defenders available, they will welcome the opportunity to reduce their wage bill, especially since Lenglet was not expected to play a significant role under Hansi Flick.under Hansi Flick.