The summer transfer market has come to an end, and Barcelona has stood out for its ability to sell players, a crucial strategy given the difficult economic situation the club has faced in recent years. One of the names that was in the sights of interested teams was Clement Lenglet, the talented French defender who has been an integral part of the Barça squad. However, Barcelona chose to reject a lucrative offer that could have further alleviated their financial problems.
Al Nassr, an Arab club, submitted a formal offer for Lenglet during the transfer window. They were willing to pay 8 million euros for the transfer and assume his entire annual fee, which was estimated at 12 million euros. Although higher figures were mentioned, it was clarified that Lenglet received 12 million euros per season. This offer would have been a perfect solution for Barcelona, but the French player had no intention of moving to Saudi at that time. According to the MARCA newspaper, he preferred to wait for an offer from a European club.
I wanted to continue in Europe
Barcelona showed their respect for Lenglet and his loyalty to the club over the years, which influenced their decision not to pressure him into accepting the offer. The Sports Board had to reject Al Nassr’s generous offer. However, the Arab club wasted no time and signed defender Aymeric Laporte as an alternative.
In the last days of the transfer market, other clubs, such as Sevilla and Betis, showed interest in Lenglet. Finally, the French defender opted for the Premier League and joined Aston Villa on loan for one season, with no option to buy. The loan was closed on September 1, and Lenglet has not yet had the opportunity to debut with his new club.
