The talented Frenchman is tied to a contract at Camp Nou until 2024, which means the Blaugrana are under no pressure to sell.
Barcelona are counting on Griezmann
Barcelona president Joan Laporta admitted that “there is a market” for Antoine Griezmann this summer, and the World Cup-winning forward being linked to Atletico and Man City. The talented Frenchman is tied to a contract at Camp Nou until 2024, which means the Blaugrana are under no pressure to sell. Still, the La Liga giants need to raise funds through sales that will allow them to register new arrivals and thrash out fresh terms with Lionel Messi. With that in mind, Laporta acknowledges that a deal could be struck that would take Griezmann out of Catalonia, with swap proposals to be considered if such an approach is made. Laporta told reporters at the official opening of the summer signing of Memphis Depay: “Griezmann is a Barcelona player; he has a deal with the club until 2024 and, if circumstances do not change, we are counting on him.”
There’s a market for Antoine
“There have been some movement in the market, and we cannot deny that there was interest in him. That is a sign of his quality. It is a particular market, and you should use your imagination, perhaps thinking about swap deals, but we appreciate Antoine. Barca made a big investment in him, and we are happy with him. It is not easy for the club to enter with an offer for a player at his level. But the transfer window is just beginning, and there is a market for Griezmann. If things start to move, we are open to all proposals because we are in a delicate financial moment, and we need to balance the books to fit with the league’s financial fair play rules.” A return to Atletico two years on from making a big-money transfer to Barca continues to be mooted for the Frenchman.
Trade deals have been speculated on there, and Saul Niguez and Joao Felix are said to be potential options that the Spanish champions could trade for a familiar face. There is, however, long-standing interest from England in the 30-year-old and Man City are the last to be linked, with Pep Guardiola in the market for another frontman after seeing Sergio Aguero head to Barcelona as a free agent.