Atletico Madrid open talks with Barcelona over €10m move for 29-year-old wantaway: Reports

Atletico Madrid are reportedly willing to sign Barcelona defender Clement Lenglet on a permanent transfer, according to journalist Rubén Uría. The 29-year-old centre-back is currently on a season-long loan with the Colchoneros.

Lenglet joined Atletico ahead of the 2024-25 football season. While there was no option in the deal to make his transfer permanent, his performances this season have reportedly drawn Atletico into seeking a permanent deal with parent club Barcelona.

The French centre-back has so far played a total of 1060 minutes of football action for Atletico Madrid this season, making 13 appearances across all competitions. He has also scored two goals and helped the Colchoneros keep five clean sheets.

Meanwhile, Spanish journalist, Rubén Uría has revealed that Atletico Madrid are willing to offer around €8-10 million to secure the player's services on a permanent deal from Barcelona. He further added that talks are already underway between both clubs to ensure that a solution is met.

Langlet's current deal with Barca is set to expire in 2027. However, the player is currently seen as a wantaway and, as such, could play a role in Barcelona accepting a permanent offer from Atletico.

Club president Enrique Cerezo recently expressed his desire for the on-loan Barca defender to continue at the Metropolitano Stadium during an interview with SPORT.

"we would love for him to continue with us," Cerezo said.

Lenglet has also gradually worked his way into head coach Diego Simeone's plans, despite a difficult start to life at Atletico Madrid.

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Barcelona defender among three-man shortlist wanted by Diego Simeone

The Argentine tactician has reportedly given the green light for Atletico Madrid to make Lenglet's loan move a permanent deal in the coming transfer windows, as per Fichajes.net.

Simeone has reportedly drawn up a three-man shortlist of defenders that he would want the club to sign in a bid to strengthen his backline.

Lenglet, 29, who joined at the start of the season on loan from Barcelona, struggled to initially secure game time under Simeone. However, an injury to Robin Le Normand in September paved the way for the on-loan Barcelona defender to break into Atletico's starting XI.

He has since gone on to become a regular in defense for Simeone, making 13 appearances and forming a solid partnership with either José Giménez or Le Normand.

As per the above-mentioned source, the other two defenders currently wanted by Simeone are David Hancko of Feyenoord and Milan Skriniar of Paris Saint-Germain.