Barcelona and Atletico Madrid could explore a potential swap deal that would make Antoine Griezmann leave Camp Nou for his former club and Saul Niguez go in the opposite direction.
Barcelona’s worrying financial situation means that Griezmann will be a necessary victim this summer. The Frenchman is a high-income earner and the club must reduce his salary costs to comply with La Liga’s salary regulations and register his new signatures.
It has even been suggested that Barça will not have the capacity to offer Lionel Messi a new contract until total wage costs have been dramatically reduced. The 34-year-old captain is already technically a free agent and will not be able to play until the situation is resolved.
Mundo Deportivo writes that Barcelona have accepted that barter is now the only way they can afford to hire new players this summer. Strengthening in midfield is important after missing Georginio Wijnaldum, who chose PSG instead, and Griezmann is the most obvious player whose departure would be financially advantageous given Dembele’s long-term injury.
Barcelona desperately needs to cut wages / Quality Sport Images / Getty Images
Saul is known for being interested in moving on from Atletico and has been for some time. The only thing that is believed to have stopped a deviation from what is already happening is the lack of a suitable offer to the club.
Atletico are said to be open to releasing him and will not stand in the way, but a transfer must be worth it.
As for the Griezmann side of the proposal, it is said that Atletico coach Diego Simeone would be happy to have him back and the club are hopeful that he would accept a lower salary than he currently earns at Camp Nou. The player and his camp are not against it if they are told by Barcelona that they want him to move on and Simeone extends an invitation.
Saul Niguez wants to move on but Atletico have never received a good enough offer. / Quality Sports Images / Getty Images
Griezmann was recently in trouble when a leaked video appeared to show that he and Ousmane Dembele were respectful of Asian hotel staff. Both players denied any racist intent behind their behavior, but Barcelona, sponsored by Japanese e-commerce giant Rakuten, issued a formal apology. Griezmann has also been dropped by the Japanese video game company Konami.
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