Atletico Madrid have agreement in place with Barcelona defender | OneFootball

Atletico Madrid are keen to bring in a left-sided defender this summer to compensate for the loss of Mario Hermoso. Barcelona centre-back Clement Lenglet is waiting to be that defender.

As reported by Matteo Moretto though, Atletico want to do all they can to try and sign one of their priority targets for their backline before they take definitive steps in a deal for the Frenchman. Those targets are namely Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie and Feyenoord’s David Hancko, who Atletico have been at loggerheads with over his price tag.

Once those options are ruled out, Lenglet is the most simple for Los Rojiblancos, who are negotiating with Barcelona, as they look to find an agreement on how to deal with his large salary. Villarreal, who were interested, have given up, believing Lenglet to be a lost cause.

Catalan daily Sport add that Lenglet is keen on the move, and that if negotiations with Chelsea for Joao Felix are fruitful, then that would free up space in their finances to bring in Lenglet. They say that Lenglet has an agreement in place with Los Rojiblancos.

Lenglet is one of eight centre-backs that Barcelona have on their books, at least two of which they are trying to move on before the transfer window. Los Rojiblancos have already brought in Robin Le Normand to strengthen their backline, but it looks as if either Hincapie or Hancko will require another major investment.