What next for Antoine Griezmann as Barca look to sell?

Nicholas Hughes

Updated: 12 Jul 2021 09:05 BST
6 min read

Atletico Madrid admit they would love ‘magnificent’ Griezmann back from Barcelona — © ProShots

Barcelona are reportedly ready to dump Antoine Griezmann this summer as their financial situation worsens.

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Barca have already confirmed four signings for the summer with Sergio Aguero, Eric Garcia, Memphis Depay and Emerson Royal all agreeing terms.

But the club’s financial crisis means that they are currently at risk of not being able to register any new players with their wage bill far exceeding La Liga’s limit.

According to Sport, the Blaugrana see Griezmann as a player that could be disposable, someone that would be sought after in the market and that could generate a solid financial gain, with the small matter of re-signing Lionel Messi also needing to be tied up.

That has attracted the interest of a number of clubs all across Europe, Sport believes that Chelsea are currently the box seat to sign Griezmann.

The Blues are out to sign a forward after Timo Werner’s difficult first season, while Olivier Giroud seems on his way to Milan and Tammy Abraham still wishes for a move to get regular football.

Chelsea have been strongly linked with Erling Haaland, alongside almost every other top European club, but could be turning their attention to Griezmann.

Chelsea want Griezmann, but Griezmann wants Atleti

Despite Chelsea’s interest, Sport has also said that Griezmann longs for a return to Atletico Madrid, with Diego Simeone’s side coming off a title-winning season that was heavily aided by another Barca reject in Luis Suarez.

Since arriving at the Nou Camp from Atleti in 2019, Griezmann has largely struggled to produce the form that saw him rank third in the Ballon d’Or in both 2016 and 2018.

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Just nine goals and four assists in 35 La Liga games in his first season had more than a few eyebrows raised, and although his 2020/21 campaign was slightly better with 20 goal contributions, he is still some way off his best football.

Griezmann is coming off an uninspiring Euro 2020 campaign that saw France prematurely knocked out and that, coupled with his disappointing start to life at Barca, calls into question his future at the top level.

At 30 years of age, this could be Griezmann’s last chance to get a big move to another European powerhouse with his career approaching somewhat of a crossroads.

There is still a large enough window of time for him to perform at a very high level, but that window is certainly closing, and the fact that Barcelona are willing to put him in the shop window to accommodate new signings and Messi’s renewal is perhaps a hint at the current trajectory of Griezmann’s career.