BARCELONA boss Ronald Koeman offered Antoine Griezmann a bigger role before Lionel Messi dropped his transfer bombshell, according to reports.
The France star, 29, has failed to replicated his top form following his £107.6million move from Atletico Madrid last summer.
L’Equipe claim Griezmann will be the central figure at Bareclona next term
Griezmann is being lined-up for a starring role at Barcelona next season with Messi now set to quitCredit: AFP
But Koeman has blamed previous management for playing him out position and wants to make Griezmann the focal point of his new team.
On top of that, the Dutch chief wants to give the Frenchman the No7 shirt, last worn by Philippe Coutinho – who wants a move to the Premier League this summer.
Last week, Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu listed Griezmann on his seven-strong “untouchables” list.
And L’Equipe claim Griezmann will now be “central” to the Barcelona team.
Koeman is said to have told the 2018 World Cup winner of his plans for 2020-21 shortly before Messi announced he wanted to quit the club.
Last week, Koeman had already claimed Barcelona failed to get the best out of Griezmann after playing him horribly out of position.
The Dutch boss had said: “With all my respect, Griezmann must play in his position.
“It is not extreme. You have to play in your position.
“This is most important part of being a coach; knowing your players well and getting the most out of them.”
And Koeman’s latest revelation is thought to have played a role in Messi seeing his future elsewhere.
After nearly two decades of being the main man at Barcelona, the Argentine is finally set to quit in a major summer overhaul – with Luis Suarez another star name set for the axe, allowing Griezmann to play centrally.
Manchester City currently lead the race for Messi with a host of European giants interested.
Barcelona are now being linked with Liverpool star Sadio Mane – who worked with Koeman at Southampton – if Messi does indeed leave.
Why does Lionel Messi want to leave Barcelona?
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
