Clément Lenglet nears Benfica move as Otamendi successor
Benfica are closing in on a deal for French centre-back Clément Lenglet from Atlético Madrid, with the 31-year-old identified as the experienced defender to fill the void left by Nicolás Otamendi.
The vacancy
Nicolás Otamendi's departure forced Benfica into the market for a left-footed, ball-playing central defender. President Rui Costa confirmed during Saturday's general assembly that the club had already secured an agreement with an experienced replacement. He publicly ruled out names floated by members: neither Atlético Madrid's José Maria Giménez nor Fenerbahçe's Milan Škriniar was the target.
Hours later, Spanish newspaper ABC and transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano reported that Clément Lenglet had been chosen. The French international will move from Atlético Madrid to Lisbon on a permanent deal. According to Romano, the contract runs until June 2029, while Italian journalist Nicolò Schira mentions a term until 2028 with an option for an additional season.
Lenglet's profile
Born on 17 June 1995, Lenglet came through the Nancy academy and made his professional debut at 18 in Ligue 2. He captained the side to promotion before joining Sevilla in January 2017 for €5.4 million. A standout Champions League display against Manchester United persuaded Barcelona to trigger his €35.9 million release clause. Across 160 appearances for the Catalans he won La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup.
After falling out of favour in Barcelona, Lenglet spent loan spells at Tottenham Hotspur (2022–23) and Aston Villa (2023–24), followed by a loan to Atlético Madrid in 2024–25. Atlético made the move permanent in June 2025 for €3 million, signing him until 2028. Last season he featured in 24 matches, starting 21, and provided one assist. He is a left-footed centre-back known for his ability to build play from the back, using positioning and anticipation to compensate for a relative lack of pace.
The move returns Lenglet to a league where a French left-footed defender previously thrived after leaving Barcelona. In 2017 Sporting CP recruited Jérémy Mathieu, who became a fans' favourite over three seasons. Benfica hope Lenglet can replicate that success.
Deal context
Fabrizio Romano stated that Lenglet rejected a lucrative proposal from Saudi Arabia, preferring a competitive project in Lisbon. The Portuguese press notes that the transfer will involve no fee, with Lenglet leaving Atlético Madrid outright before his contract expires. Benfica had already announced Brazilian midfielder Gabriel Índio as their first summer signing; the Frenchman will be the second.
