FC Barcelona Star Rejects Saudi Offer, Creates Financial Headache
An FC Barcelona star has turned down a big money offer from Saudi Arabia, leading to significant financial worries for the club, according to reports from Mundo Deportivo. This decision could bring significant challenges for Barcelona in the next season.
Who is the Player?
The player in question is Clement Lenglet, who joined Barcelona in 2018. Lenglet played at Camp Nou for four seasons. However, former head coach Xavi Hernandez decided that he did not want Lenglet on the team.
Recent Loan Deals
Since then, Lenglet has been loaned to the Premier League twice. He played for Tottenham Hotspur in the 2022/2023 season and then for Aston Villa. Despite these loans, neither of the English clubs opted to make his stay permanent. This has put Barcelona in a tough spot as they need to sell players to meet Financial Fair Play limits and to make new signings.
Saudi Arabia's Interest
There was significant interest in Lenglet from Al-Ittihad, a club from the Saudi Pro League. Ramon Planes, a former Barcelona Sporting Director, tried to bring Lenglet to Saudi Arabia along with other players like Karim Benzema and potentially Nacho from Real Madrid. However, Lenglet rejected this offer because he wants to continue playing in Europe.
Financial Impact
If Lenglet does not find a new club soon, Barcelona will face a financial headache. Starting next season, Lenglet is set to earn a whopping $17 million (€16 million). This amount was deferred during the pandemic under the previous club president Josep Bartomeu. Now, Lenglet’s high salary makes him one of the top earners in the team, similar to stars like Frenkie de Jong and Robert Lewandowski. This is problematic as there is no significant need for Lenglet in the squad under the upcoming leadership of new head coach Hansi Flick.
Conclusion
Unless FC Barcelona finds a solution, the club’s financial situation could worsen. The decision from Clement Lenglet to turn down the Saudi offer adds to the challenges faced by Deco and President Joan Laporta. The upcoming season could be financially strained for Barcelona, impacting the club's plans and overall strategy.