29-year-old star to terminate Barcelona contract and join LaLiga rivals on a 3-year deal: Reports

French defender Clement Lenglet has reportedly agreed to join Atletico Madrid from Barcelona on a three-year deal. According to Spanish outlet MARCA (Via BarcaTimes on X), the LaLiga champions have paid their part of Lenglet's remaining salary and will soon terminate his contract.

Lenglet joined La Blaugrana from Sevilla in July 2018 for a reported fee of €36 million. However, the 29-year-old consistently struggled to solidify his position as the Catalan club's first-choice defender. The AS Nancy youth product played 160 games for La Blaugrana.

In the last three seasons, Lenglet has been loaned to three different clubs by the LaLiga giants. During the 2022-23 season, he was loaned to Tottenham Hotspur, while in the 2023-24 campaign, Lenglet played for Aston Villa.

The Frenchman was a part of Diego Simeone's side in the 2024-25 campaign on loan from Barcelona. In 34 appearances across all competitions, Lenglet helped his side keep 13 clean sheets and also bagged three goals and two assists. His contract in Catalonia was set to expire in the summer of 2026.

However, as per his new deal with Atletico Madrid, his contract will keep him in the Spanish capital until June 2028. The deal will also improve the club's Financial Fair Play (FFP).

Frenkie de Jong comments on his future with Barcelona

Finland v Netherlands - European Qualifiers Group G - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Source: Getty

Frenkie de Jong has revealed that he wants to stay at Barcelona and would have extended his contract immediately if it were solely up to him. Currently on national duty with the Netherlands football team, the former Ajax midfielder was asked about his future with the Catalan club.

Responding to the question, the Dutchman expressed his desire to stay in Barcelona. He also claimed that the club want him to stay and are working on finding an outcome that would benefit both parties. He told Voetbal International after the Netherlands defeated Finland 2-0 (via Yahoo Sports):

"I would like to stay, and the club wants that too, so we will find a solution."

De Jong is one of Barca's highest earners, and it has become a problem for the side due to their financial issues. His current contract with La Blaugrana expires in the summer of 2026.

About the author

Shashank is a journalist at Sportskeeda covering European football since the past 2 years. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication and has also played the sport as a box-to-box midfielder and a full-back at national level, along with Tennis, Taekwondo and Boxing.

Shashank has been a Liverpool supporter since 2014 and had first stumbled upon the club after receiving a gift which had the words 'Liverpool FC' written on it. He has idolised Steven Gerrard over the years but his favorite football memory is the Reds' incredible comeback 4-0 win over Barcelona in the 2019 Champions League semis. He, unsurprisingly, also loves Jurgen Klopp's managerial style.

He strives to report 100% accurate content by going through several social media platforms, and prides himself on his above-average vocabulary and researching skills. In his career so far, Shashank has had the privilege of interviewing Indian national football team goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu.

Shashank also follows the Indian Super League and the Eredivisie along with European Football. In his off time, he likes to do theatre, watch Tennis, and travel.

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Edited by Sankalp Srivastava