Clement Lenglet has made it clear to Barcelona that he wants to stay at Atletico Madrid beyond this season.
The French centre-back has enjoyed a resurgence under Diego Simeone, becoming a consistent presence in Atletico’s back line, and he now hopes to make his loan move permanent.
Lenglet has already communicated his desire to continue in Madrid if a deal can be reached.
However, the two clubs are currently at odds over the financial terms. Barcelona are asking for a transfer fee of around €10 million, a figure Atletico are reluctant to meet.
Atletico Madrid reportedly believe they can land Lenglet on a free transfer, similar to how they acquired Luis Suarez in 2020.
Their stance is that absorbing the defender’s wages should be sufficient compensation, particularly in light of Barcelona’s ongoing financial troubles.
From Barcelona’s perspective, the €10 million asking price reflects Lenglet’s strong performances this season, but their bargaining power is limited.
With minimal interest from other clubs, the Catalans may be forced to lower their valuation if no alternative offers come through.
As of now, formal negotiations between Barcelona and Atletico have not yet begun, but Lenglet’s intentions are clear. The 28-year-old is keen to stay where he has regained form and regular playing time.
