Barcelona outcast’s future hangs in the balance as talks with Atletico get complicated | OneFootball

Clement Lenglet has done well at Atletico Madrid after leaving FC Barcelona on loan during the summer transfer window.

Having had a slow start to life at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, the Frenchman has grown in stature and become a regular fixture in Diego Simeone’s side.

As such, Atletico have been keen on making his signing permanent in the summer and have been involved in talks with Barcelona over the same.

Negotiations getting complex

However, according to the latest update from Mundo Deportivo, talks between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid over the future of Lenglet are proving to be complex, with economic conditions posing significant obstacles.

Although all three parties are open to reaching an agreement, the situation hinges on a key meeting at the end of the season.

Lenglet, still under contract with Barcelona, is not part of Hansi Flick’s plans for next season. A return to Camp Nou is not currently expected.

What next for Clement Lenglet? (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

However, his salary – part of which was previously deferred – is among the highest at the club. Barcelona would benefit from offloading it, but Atleti cannot afford to take it on as it stands.

Furthermore, the Rojiblancos are angling towards signing Lenglet on a free transfer as they intend to splurge on another centre-back.

That would mean Barcelona would have to agree to terminate the Frenchman’s contract, something they are currently not considering, especially given that he is only 29 years old and has had a solid season.

Nevertheless, if Barcelona were able to reduce their wage bill, a contract termination might be reconsidered. Even if such an agreement were reached, Lenglet would need to lower his salary to join Atletico.

As such, everything hangs in the balance and will depend on the crucial meeting set to take place at the end of the season.