Last summer, Barcelona bid a number of players farewell, also carrying out several loan operations to lighten the burden on their strained wage bill.

One of the departees was Clement Lenglet, who joined Aston Villa on a season-long loan deal until 30 June 2024.

Since the transfer, game-time for Lenglet has merely arrived in patches, though, as the Frenchman is struggling to become a mainstay in the starting XI under Unai Emery.

Aston Villa unwilling to part ways

As a consequence of Lenglet’s waning status, Barcelona have been contemplating terminating his loan spell in January and sending him to a different club.

The Frenchman has received interest from AC Milan, Real Betis, Sevilla as well as Napoli, with teams keen on acquiring him in the upcoming January transfer window.

But, according to SPORT, Aston Villa are preventing his exit this January since they do not currently intend to terminate the Frenchman’s loan agreement, which binds him with the English team through the end of the campaign.

Even though Lenglet is in search of more minutes, the message from Emerey’s team is clear: they do not wish to part ways with a player they consider important in the squad dynamics.

Recently reports came out that AC Milan were closing in on a transfer as the player had also given the green light, but Aston Villa’s disapproval of the deal has stalled negotiations.

Although Lenglet is yet to start in the Premier League, he has featured in the UEFA Conference League and is assured by the club that the season is long and if he remains patient, his time will come.

Unwanted complications for Barça

Barça are eager to get him off the books entirely down the line, and minimal game time does not sit well with either the club or the player.

With Lenglet’s contract expiring in 2026 and him being one of the players in the current squad with the highest salary due to salary deferrals brought on by the pandemic, the Catalan giants would be interested in guaranteeing a transfer at the end of the season.

And Aston Villa’s limited use of the player and refusal to let him leave this January complicates matters.