Atletico Madrid consider January swoop for Barcelona defender

With Barcelona expected to offload some players in the January transfer window, clubs are lining up to take advantage of the situation.

Cadiz are closing in on the signing of on-loan striker Luuk de Jong while there have been enquiries for players like Sergino Dest and Clement Lenglet.

The latter has been linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal ahead of the January transfer window. And now, OK Diario (h/t El Nacional) is reporting that the Frenchman is also on the radars of Barça’s La Liga rivals Atletico Madrid.

Diego Simeone’s side have been poor in the defence of their La Liga crown and are pretty much out of the title race midway through the campaign. They are keen on improving their fortunes starting January when the season resumes and are eyeing reinforcements in the transfer window.

Defence, which is usually the strong point for Atleti, has become the problem area this term. Stefan Savic and Jose Maria Gimenez have struggled with injuries while Felipe and Mario Hermoso have been performing poorly.

As a result, manager Simeone is keen on strengthening his options at the heart of the defence and has narrowed in on three options, with Barcelona’s Clement Lenglet being one among them.

Apart from the ex-Sevilla defender, Los Rojiblancos are also looking at Osasuna’s David Garcia and Attila Szalai of Fenerbahce. Any move, however, would only take place if they are able to sell Kieran Trippier to Newcastle United and generate funds to reinvest into the squad.

As for Lenglet, the 26-year-old is believed to be keen on staying put at Camp Nou. His contract runs until the summer of 2026. The Frenchman has seen some game-time of late under Xavi Hernandez, but the Catalans remain open to offloading him in January should a sizeable offer come along.