Messi: Barcelona star receives Antoine Griezmann information amid Luis Suarez fears
BARCELONA have reportedly told Lionel Messi any deal for Antoine Griezmann will not impact Luis Suarez’s future.
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Barcelona have emerged as potential suitors for Griezmann with the France international likely to leave Atletico Madrid at the end of the season.
The Catalan giants, as well Manchester United, are both interested in snapping him up.
However, reports have claimed Barcelona want him as a replacement for Suarez, much to the annoyance and anger of Messi.
Yet Spanish outlet Don Balon says the 30-year-old has been told any Griezmann deal will not influence the Uruguayan’s future.
Suarez has endured a difficult campaign for Barcelona so far with a knee injury against Real Madrid derailing his campaign.
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The forward has just seven goals from 20 games, leading to talk Griezmann could arrive as his replacement.
Yet Messi wants the striker to stay having struck up a close relationship with him since the player’s arrival from Liverpool in 2014.
And, as a result, Don Balon claim Barcelona have attempted to allay any fears over Griezmann’s incoming.
They insist any deal the France international does not hinge on Suarez’s future.
Meanwhile, Atletico have confirmed for the first time that Griezmann may leave the club.
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“Of course he can leave at some point, like Diego Costa and Arda Turan did in their day,” manager Diego Simeone told L’Equipe.
“I love watching my players grow, and if one of them tells me that they have the unique opportunity of playing for a certain team, after they did everything they could for me, like Griezmann has done, I’ll say it’s not a problem.
“I know that he needs to grow.”
Griezmann has recently rediscovered his best form after a stuttering start to the season.
The 26-year-old currently has seven goals from 17 appearances so far.
