Clement Lenglet to finally leave Barcelona? Atletico Madrid eye deal for former Tottenham loanee ahead of Club World Cup

After three seasons out on loan, the French defender seems to have finally found his groove. As per Mundo Deportivo, the centre-back has impressed the Atletico management, who are keen to retain his services beyond the expiry of his current loan deal this season. A permanent move from Barcelona to the Metropolitano is also being considered.

Lenglet featured in 34 games for Atlético Madrid this season, starting 32 of them. His current loan deal expires on June 30, 2025, making it crucial for Atleti to address his future soon. The club is reportedly considering two main options - extending his loan or negotiating a permanent transfer, provided the Frenchman agrees to a pay cut. With the Club World Cup set to begin on June 15, 2025, Atletico are expected to push for clarity on his situation sooner rather than later. The French defender has been out on loan since 2022, first with Tottenham Hotspur, followed by a stint at Aston Villa, before returning to Spain to join Atletico.

Lenglet, who joined Barcelona in 2018, is not the only Atletico player facing an uncertain future. Antoine Griezmann’s contract runs until 2026, meaning he will enter the final year of his deal this summer. Major League Soccer side Los Angeles FC have shown interest in the Frenchman, but that is not set in stone.

Tottenham's Cristian Romero has also been on Atleti's wish list this summer. Manager Diego Simeone admires the Argentine defender and believes the Europa League winner would be a strong addition to bolster their backline for next season. However, Romero remains under contract with Spurs until June 2027, which could complicate any potential move. Incidentally, the Spanish club are set to kick off their Club World Cup campaign in just over two weeks, with a high-profile opening clash against Paris Saint-Germain.