The potential departure of Clement Lenglet from Barcelona has taken an unexpected turn. Fatigued by the financial demands imposed by Barcelona, Tottenham Hotspur seems to be reconsidering their pursuit of the French defender. Consequently, Barcelona is now exploring the possibility of selling Lenglet to Al Nasr in Saudi Arabia. A crucial meeting with the player is scheduled for next week in an attempt to find a definitive solution to this situation, according to SPORT.
Throughout this saga, Lenglet has consistently expressed his desire to continue playing in Europe. However, the substantial salary he would receive at Barcelona over the next three seasons has complicated his potential departure. While Tottenham wished to retain his services, they made it clear that they would only agree to a nominal transfer fee if they were to cover the player’s salary demands.
Barcelona initially demanded a transfer fee of €15 million, but Tottenham has now backtracked on their offer. Although this reversal may not be final, it certainly raises concerns for the Catalan club. Barcelona has also explored the possibility of offering Lenglet to Milan or Juventus, but both Italian clubs are unable to meet the player’s salary requirements.
Given the current circumstances, Barcelona is keen on finalizing Lenglet’s transfer to Al Nasr in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Arabian club is prepared to meet the €15 million valuation through a combination of fixed and variable payments. However, convincing the French center-back, who has thus far shown reluctance towards this venture, remains a challenge. Al Nasr is willing to travel to Barcelona for face-to-face negotiations, and we can expect developments in the coming days.
For Barcelona, it is crucial to offload Lenglet’s high salary before the market deadline, as it currently stands as one of the club’s highest financial burdens due to deferred payments. While the player has been cooperative in facilitating his departure and has not posed any issues, he is understandably cautious about losing too much money and desires the freedom to choose his next destination. If he so wishes, a move to Saudi Arabia could be on the cards.
The potential transfer of Clement Lenglet to Al Nasr in Saudi Arabia presents Barcelona with a strategic solution to address their financial concerns. While Lenglet initially prioritized staying in Europe, the complex salary dynamics have shifted the focus to alternative destinations. As negotiations continue, all eyes will be on Barcelona’s ability to convince the French defender to embrace this new adventure. With the market deadline looming, time is of the essence for both Barcelona and Lenglet to reach a mutually beneficial resolution.
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