Barcelona outcast wants to join La Liga rivals this summer - Reports
Barcelona defender Clement Lenglet reportedly wants to join La Liga giants Atletico Madrid this summer. The 29-year-old Frenchman arrived at the Camp Nou in the summer of 2018 but has spent the last two seasons on loan.
Lenglet, who is contracted to Barca till 2026, spent the 2023-24 campaign at Aston Villa and the season before that with Tottenham Hotspur. He has contributed seven goals and three assists in 106 games across competitions for the Blaugrana.
Ahead of the new season, the Frenchman - who has returned to his parent club - is likely to be surplus to requirements. As per Barca Universal, he has interest from AC Milan, Besiktas and Real Sociedad.
The report adds that Atletico have entered the fray and that Lenglet wants to join them. The Rojiblancos - who brought in Robin Le Normand from Sociedad - want the Frenchman at the heart of defence next season.
Interestingly, Lenglet has seemingly impressed new boss Hansi Flick in pre-season training, featuring in the friendly against Manchester City. However, cash-strapped Barca are keen to offload the Frenchman's meaty salary off their books.
How have Barcelona fared in pre-season?
Barcelona kickstarted the Hansi Flick era with a shootout win over Manchester City in Orlando on Tuesday (July 30). Pau Victor opened the scoring in the 24th minute before City equalised through Nico O'Reilly 15 minutes later.
The Blaugrana were back in front on the cusp of half-time through a Pablo Torre strike, but City hit back through Jack Grealish at the hour mark. However, Flick's side had the last laugh, as they won the ensuing shootout.
Next up, they take on arch-rivals Real Madrid at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Saturday (August 3) before clashing with AC Milan three days later at the M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore to end their US tour.
Flick's side end their pre-season against AS Monaco at their temporary home, the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, on August 11, for the Joan Gamper trophy.