Barcelona keen on selling defender this week: Reports

Barcelona are reportedly interested in selling Clement Lenglet, who was on loan at Atletico Madrid in the 2024-25 season, as early as this week. 

Lenglet, 29, is reportedly deemed to be surplus to requirements at the La Liga champions. He spent the entirety of past season on loan at Atletico, scoring three goals in 34 matches across competitions in the process.

Now, according to Spanish news outlet Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona and Atletico are both aiming to finalise Lenglet's potential permanent switch. However, for Atletico to sign the French defender, Hansi Flick's outfit have to help facilitate a free transfer. 

Barcelona, who won the domestic treble in the 2024-25 season, are in a difficult position now. They could be forced to either terminate Lenglet's deal or release him on a free as the Catalans are eager to get the star's €16 million-per-year wages off their books.

So far, Lenglet has made 160 overall appearances for the Catalan side.

Spain boss defends Barcelona superstar

Earlier this Sunday (May 8), Spain lost 5-3 on penalties to Portugal in the UEFA Nations League final. Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Oyarzabal netted a goal each while Nuno Mendes and Cristiano Ronaldo both scored one goal in 120 minutes of regulation time.

After the Nations League final, Spain manager Luis de la Fuente revealed why he substituted Barcelona's Lamine Yamal midway through the final. He said (h/t Barca Universal):

"It's normal for Lamine to be tired, he's very young and he's had a very hard year. We wanted to give a little energy to the game. Yeremy [Pino] and [Alex] Baena gave us the control we needed. We wanted to reactivate energies in the whole group, especially on the wings. [Lamine] has had very little rest, he's only 17, and we must dose him when necessary."

Yamal, who lost the most duels in the recent final, relished a fine season for Barcelona in the 2024-25 campaign. The 17-year-old helped them lift three domestic trophies, registering 18 goals and 25 assists in 55 outings across competitions.

Opining on his players and Spain's recent clash, De la Fuente remarked:

"We have to value these players. It is a pride to be able to manage and work with them. It was a match of equals, with a lot of quality on both sides. If we had taken one of our chances... but football doesn't care about fair or unfair. The one who wins is always the fair winner."