Barcelona include Griezmann to lure Neymar in the summer transfer window

Barcelona are planning to swap Antoine Griezmann for Paris Saint-Germain’s Neymar this summer, after a dull debut season of the Frenchman at the Camp Nou. The impact that was expected from Griezmann’s arrival was certainly not there and thus a £105 million move in the last summer is pinching the Catalans.

Till date, the forward has rewarded Barcelona with only 14 goals and four assists in 37 appearances. The stats are not bad for a debutant but the expectations and the Frenchman’s price tag were the prime reason that the Spanish giants were expecting at least 20 goals. Griezmann was expected to take a huge chunk of the scoring load off Barcelona captain Lionel Messi but things have remained the same.

The six-time Ballon d’Or winner is again the leading goalscorer and is considered to be doing most of the work, something that should have changed this season. Griezmann’s future has now become very uncertain after Barcelona revived their interest in their ex-star Neymar and Internazionale’s Lautaro Martinez, who has been very impressive this season.

According to Sky Sports News, Barcelona are eager to offload the Frenchman to make room for new signings and a potential swap between Neymar and Griezmann could do wonders. Griezmann is currently valued at £88 million but Barcelona’s concern is about the fact that no team may actually cash in so much because of the economic impact of coronavirus and hence, a possible swap is seen as the best option.

Neymar is priced at £135m and thus, Barcelona will have to provide some money top to get this deal sealed and a spare £47m is better than shelling out the full £135m. 

With Griezmann believing that he still has a future at Camp Nou and is also expected to take part in promoting next season’s new kit, this week’s 70% player pay cut means that the dressing room will look unfavorably on any subsequent splashes in the transfer market.

featured image credits- dailymail.co.uk