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FC Barcelona Announces Contract Termination And Saves $36.5 Million
FC Barcelona announced the contract recission of a now former first team player through a statement ... More sent to members o the press on Monday afternoon in Catalonia.
FC Barcelona announced the contract termination of a now former first team player through a statement sent to members of the press on Monday afternoon in Catalonia.
According to Mundo Deportivo, this move will help save Barca a much needed $36.5 million (€32 million) considering the pay that Frenchman was owed for the last two years of his contract.
'FC Barcelona and first team player Clement Lenglet have reached an agreement for the termination of his contract with the Club,' a statement from the Blaugrana began, before thanking the central defender for his 'gratitude' and wishing him 'luck and success in the future'.
Lenglet arrived at Barca in 2018 from Sevilla after then-president Josep Bartomeu agreed to pay $40 million (€35 million) for his services.
In 2022, however, the 29-year-old became surplus to requirements for head coach Xavi Hernandez at Camp Nou and went to Tottenham Hotspur on loan.
The reigning Europa League champions decided not to make his temporary assignment permanent, and nor did Aston Villa after taking him on for the 2023/2024.
At Atletico Madrid, however, Lenglet has found his feet and impressed across a campaign where he enjoyed 32 of 34 appearances as a starter.
Rescinding his contract is key to Lenglet staying on in the Spanish capital. It of course means that Barca will not receive a penny from Atleti for a player that was still on its books.
Yet perhaps most important for Barca, it will not have to pay Lenglet €16 million per season for the last two years of his contract, which could prove important in staying on the right side of Financial Fair Play (FFP) limits when it wants to bring in new players itself.
Barca is expected to sign Joan Garcia from Espanyol this week, and will need to activate his €25 million release clause in order for the goalkeeper to cross town to the Pericos' bitter rival. As a consequence, Marc-Andre ter Stegen could be on his way out of the club but SPORT says he is ready to make things difficult and 'go to war' with the La Liga champions.
With the likes of Pau Cubarsi, Inigo Martinez and Ronald Araujo all to choose from lest me mention substitutes such as Eric Garcia and Andreas Christensen, FC Barcelona coach doesn't need Lenglet. Atletico clearly likes him, however, and he's expected to sign a fresh deal until June 30, 20228 at the Metropolitano.
