Barcelona ‘exploring’ defender’s contract termination

The powers that be at La Liga giants Barcelona are giving increasing consideration to activating a termination clause in the contract of a member of the club’s defensive ranks.

That’s according to Diario Sport, who point towards Clément Lenglet as the player in question.

Stopper Lenglet, for his part, spent this past season on loan away from Barcelona, after linking up with Unai Emery’s Aston Villa in the Premier League.

The Frenchman went on to endure something of a hit-and-miss stint in England, managing 20 appearances across all competitions, including 14 league starts.

His exploits en route to as much, though, did not prove enough to convince the brass at Villa Park of his deservingness of returning for next season.

Lenglet, as a result, has made his way back to Catalunya’s capital, a prominent figure in the pre-season activities of new Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick.

This, however, does not mean that he will remain for next season.

Owing to an agreed series of back-payments following the pandemic, the 29-year-old currently stands as one of the highest earners in Barca’s squad.

Deco and co. are therefore desperate to cut ties, even offering Lenglet a free transfer away on a number of occasions.

The former Sevilla man, however, has understandably stood firm, not prepared to simply give up the significant financial windfall owed to him.

With no offers of note having yet arrived for Lenglet, and the defender not part of the plans of boss Flick, Barcelona have therefore been left with little choice but to seek out alternative options.

And one such avenue involves a mutual contract termination.

As per Sport:

‘On a budgetary level it would be a blow for the year, but it does free up wages and with the signings of Nico Williams and Dani Olmo in the pipeline it is a path that would be explored.’

It now remains to be seen whether or not Lenglet himself is open to such a prospect.

Conor Laird | GSFN