PA Media/dpa
London
Clement Lenglet and Vitor Roque have both left Barcelona on loan as the club continue their efforts to free up space to register new signing Dani Olmo.
Barca announced that France defender Lenglet will spend the season with Atletico Madrid while Brazilian teenager Vitor Roque is heading to Real Betis, with the latter deal including an option for a second season.
The moves, coming after the exit of Ilkay Gundogan and other players, will free up more space on Barcelona’s wage bill as they seek to complete the registration of Olmo, the ?55 million ($61.6 million) arrival from RB Leipzig who had to sit out Saturday’s 2-1 win over Athletic Bilbao as Barca remain over LaLiga’s spending caps for the season.
Lenglet, 29, joined Barca from Sevilla in 2018 and has made 160 appearances for the club. He was part of the title-winning side in 2018-19 and also added the Copa del Rey and Super Cup to his list of honours.
But this will be his third consecutive season out on loan following spells with Tottenham and Aston Villa.
Vitor Roque, 19, joined Barca from Athletico Paranaense in January and scored two goals in 16 appearances.