MD: Atlético, Barça discuss Griezmann-Saúl swap

As originally reported in Mundo Deportivo— and also because supported in various other, more-reputable electrical outlets– Atlético Madrid and also Barcelona are examining a seismic swap bargain that would certainly see Antoine Griezmann go back to the Spanish funding.

Saúl Ñíguez would certainly head the various other means to sign up with the various other Barcelona gamers that can not be signed up to play in LaLiga due to the club’s debilitating financial debt.

This is the encouraging aspect behind each and every single step Barcelona will certainly make this summertime– minimizing the wage expense in order to formally authorize Lionel Messi to a brand-new agreement. However Barça’s troubles are distinct, and also they are such that the organization might minimize the team’s wage restriction to EUR160 million this coming period– 2 years back, the Catalan club had a EUR671 million wage restriction for its first string gamers.

The following needed clearout hasn’t truly removed, as head of state Joan Laporta has actually until now been not successful in persuading high-earning benchwarmers like Miralem Pjanić and also Samuel Umtiti to end their agreements and also leave.

So offered just how slow-moving the marketplace has actually remained in this transfer home window, there’s currently a idea at Camp Nou that if Messi inevitably restores, after that Griezmann has to go due to the outsized influence their 2 wages will certainly carry the minimized wage expense.

On The Other Hand, Atlético have actually had a Saúl-sized issue because tales arised regarding his wish to leave the club.

The 26- year-old withstood a bad 2020/21 period yet Atleti took place to win the organization anyhow, and also current conjecture has actually connected him with a transfer to Liverpool It’s uncertain whether a company deal has actually been lodged, though records have actually continually asserted that Atleti agree to do a bargain if a club is available in with a deal in between EUR40 million and also EUR50 million.

Which brings us to Mundo Deportivo’s Saturday bombshell.

Ronald Koeman is still reeling from shedding freelance Georginio Wijnaldum to Paris Saint-Germain, and also Saúl– flexible, energised, knowledgeable– has the box-to-box account that the Dutch train desires in midfield.

Past that, Saúl’s wage is substantially less than Griezmann’s, and also the Atlético stalwart will not also need to leave Spain for a modification of landscapes.

Picture by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto by means of Getty Photos

When It Comes To Griezmann, it’s obvious that his two-year spell at Barcelona has actually created less-than-desirable outcomes.

Griezmann had a strong period in 2020/21, when he racked up 13 objectives and also aided 7 even more in LaLiga, yet he is not what he was 3 years back. The 30- year-old’s residential type has actually been irregular because his EUR120 million transfer, mirroring problems playing more-or-less as an out-and-out winger– and also under 3 various instructors. The gamer left Atlético seemingly “to win prizes” yet has actually asserted a singular Copa del Rey in 2 periods.

Yet, although the fashion of Griezmann’s 2019 separation left a nasty preference, Simeone would apparently be enjoyed have his previous amulet back, and also the gamer’s household bears in mind life in Madrid lovingly. Head of state Enrique Cerezo additionally holds no animosity with Griezmann and also has proclaimed his wish to see him return at some point.

My take is Atlético ought to not have any kind of cravings to assist Barcelona out of its monetary heck and also yield a EUR50 million-rated midfielder while doing so. Neither need to Atleti welcome paid too much racist Griezmann back right into the layer after winning LaLiga without him, seeing João Félix (in the very first fifty percent of the period) and also Ángel Correa (in the 2nd fifty percent) action up to change the Frenchman in the accumulation.

The Spanish champs require to authorize a Luis Suárez back-up this summertime, along with settle Rodrigo De Paul’s transfer from Udinese and also discover one more choice at left back This would certainly be a misstep.