A Barcelona player has ended his contract with the club a year early and completed a move to Atlético Madrid. As reported by MARCA, he will now feature for Atlético in the upcoming Club World Cup.

According to a report from Spanish media outlet Marca, Barcelona and one of their high-earning players are currently working towards an early termination of his contract, which was originally set to run for another year. The player is expected to complete a move to Atletico Madrid once the agreement with Barcelona is finalized.

The Catalan giants are actively making significant changes to their squad, particularly targeting players who are no longer considered part of new head coach Hansi Flick’s strategy for the upcoming season. The club is keen to part ways with those deemed surplus to requirements, not only to streamline the team but also to ease the burden of their wage bill and create space for new arrivals ahead of the next campaign.

On the other side, Atletico Madrid is also seeking to reinforce its squad as they prepare for a busy season that includes participation in the FIFA Club World Cup, which will take place in the United States. Following a campaign that fell short of expectations under long-serving manager Diego Simeone, Atletico is eager to bounce back strongly and improve their performances across all competitions.

One of the players at the center of this situation is Clement Lenglet. The French defender still has a contract with Barcelona that runs until June 2026, but both parties are now negotiating a mutual agreement to cut it short. However, the talks have been far from straightforward due to Lenglet’s significant salary, reportedly around €16 million gross per year.

Despite these challenges, Atletico Madrid is determined to secure Lenglet’s services on a permanent basis. The club was reportedly impressed with his displays during his loan spell and believes he would be a valuable addition to their defensive lineup, particularly as they prepare for the Club World Cup, which is set to kick off soon.

For Barcelona, moving Lenglet on and removing his high wages from their books is a key objective in this summer’s transfer window. The club is focused on improving its financial situation while simultaneously paving the way for new signings who better fit Flick’s tactical vision.

Offloading players like Lenglet will be essential in achieving both financial stability and squad renewal as they look ahead to a new chapter under their recently appointed coach.