One Of Highest-Earning FC Barcelona Stars Reaches Agreement With Rival

One of FC Barcelona’s highest-earning squad members has reached an agreement with a rival club according to transfer market experts Footmercato, whose reporter Santi Aouna cited anonymous sources when revealing the news.

Along with Frenkie de Jong, Clement Lenglet was clearly jeered by some Barca fans when individual members of the squad were introduced before the Joan Gamper Trophy loss to AS Monaco at the Montjuic Stadium on Monday.

While De Jong is believed to be the highest-earner in 2024/2025 topping Robert Lewandowski, Lenglet is believed to be in line to earn around $17.6 million (€16 million) this term according to El Desmarque.

Both players are in line for such exorbitant pay – with De Jong in line for $40.8 million (€37 million) reports El Nacional – because of extra money on top of their regular salaries that was deferred during the pandemic on the watch of President Joan Laporta’s predecessor Josep Bartomeu.

Yet while according to AS there is “bewilderment” at the club regarding the attitude of De Jong, who it believes is purposely running down his contract to leave for free in 2026, and therefore doesn’t want to negotiate a renewal with deferred pay once more, Lenglet appears to be on the exit ramp to alleviate Barca’s financial burdens.

While Lenglet reportedly impressed new Barca head coach Hansi Flick in preseason, he is way down the pecking order of central defenders and his pay his unacceptable for a player of such standing.

This is why an exit has been sought for the 29-year-old, who has reportedly rejected approaches from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Ligue 1 and the likes of Villarreal, Sevilla and Real Sociedad to agree a move to Atleti.

As of yet, it is unknown which shape the potential transfer will take. SPORT highlights how there is talk of Atletico signing Lenglet on a free transfer if his Barca contract is terminated, or him going to the Spanish capital on a third consecutive loan after back-to-back temporary spells in England at Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa.

Should Lenglet switch allegiances to the Rojiblancos, he has a fantastic chance to get his career back on track in the elite.