Atlético Madrid deal Barcelona a heavy transfer blow for the summer | OneFootball

The brass at La Liga giants Barcelona have this week been dealt a serious blow on the transfer front, by rivals Atlético Madrid.

This comes amid confirmation that the latter have come to the decision not to pursue a permanent deal for Clément Lenglet.

Defender Lenglet has of course spent the season to date on loan at the Metropolitano, from Barcelona.

And after a shaky start to life in Spain’s capital, the Frenchman has since gone on to establish himself as an important member of Diego Simeone’s backline.

Reports in the media, in turn, had long pointed towards Atlético preparing an offer to make Lenglet’s arrival a permanent one in the summer.

As alluded to above, however, this, it would appear, will in fact not be the case.

As per a report from Diario Sport, the operation has been deemed financially unviable by the Atléti board, unwilling to meet either Barcelona’s €10 million price-tag, or the wage demands laid out by the stopper.

Lenglet, in turn, looks set to return to base in Catalunya’s capital upon the season’s close, creating a fresh headache for Hansi Flick, Deco and co.

Conor Laird – GSFN