Barcelona 'need to sell EIGHT players' before signing Antoine Griezmann
BARCELONA need to shift eight players if they are to sign Antoine Griezmann this summer, according to Spanish football expert Guillem Balague.
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The Catalan giants have been the front-runners in the race to sign the Atletico Madrid forward all season.
And Barcelona chiefs have admitted meeting Griezmann's representatives in recent months to discuss the €100m (£87m) transfer this summer.
However, according to Balague, the La Liga champions must first ensure they cut their wage bill by a significant amount.
"The problem with Barcelona, and considering the way that they are not renewing the contract of Sergio Busquets as quickly as the player would like, is the wage bill is too high," he said during a Sky Sports Twitter Q&A.
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If they sell about eight players they could manage it
"The wage list is so big that they need to reduce it.
"If they sell about eight players they could manage it. Then they could make the move for Antoine Griezmann.
"They also need to sign a midfielder and a left-back and those will be the two positions they target."
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As mentioned, Sergio Busquets is demanding a new contract, which has not yet been forthcoming.
However, the club legend's current deal doesn't expire until 2021.
As for Griezmann, his Atletico side won the Europa League on Wednesday.
Diego Simeone's men have one final league clash against Eibar this Sunday.