Barcelona CONFIRM they are open to Antoine Griezmann transfer exit as Laporta admits ‘there’s a market’ for him

BARCELONA are reportedly considering offers for Antoine Griezmann with the club ramping up efforts to clear its enormous wage bill. 

And Nou Camp president Joan Laporta has claimed there is interest from the Blaugrana’s rivals in the France playmaker, according to Goal.  

Barca, who finished third in LaLiga last term, are facing a budget headache as they bid to ease their financial crisis. 

In January Mundo Deportivo claimed the Catalan giants were in debt to the tune of £1billion (1.173 bn euros). 

The club is thought to be keen on selling several players this summer with officials reportedly open to bids for Griezmann. 

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The forward, 30, who sealed a £102million 2019 move from Atletico Madrid, currently costs Barca a reported £30m a year in wages. 

And French sports paper L’Equipe claims the 2018 World Cup winner has been offered to four sides including Juventus, Tottenham and his former employers Atletico Madrid. 

At a press conference Laporta told reporters: “Griezmann is a Barca player, he has a contract with the club until 2024 and, unless circumstances change, we are counting on him.

“There have been some movements on the market and we can’t deny that there’s been interest in him. That’s a sign of his quality.

“It’s a special market and you have to use your imagination, perhaps thinking in swap deals, but we value Antoine a lot.

“The club made a big investment in him and we are happy with him.

“It’s not easy for a club to come in with an offer for a player at his level. But the transfer window is just getting started and there’s a market for Griezmann.

“If things start moving, we’re open to all proposals because we’re in a delicate moment financially and we have to balance the books to comply with the league’s financial fair play rules.”

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Griezmann was part of the Les Bleus side who fell to a shock round 16 loss to Switzerland at the 2020 Euros. 

And the player had some early-season struggles on the pitch at Barcelona last term failing to net in his first six games under boss Ronald Koeman. 

However, the player went on to score 20 goals in 51 games across all competitions for the club. 

Reports claim a move back to Atletico two years on from his big bucks departure from the club could be in the pipeline. 

Sky Sports reported a swap deal involving Atletico’s Saul Niguez as being among the suggestions being mooted. 

And it is also thought PSG are rumoured to have an interest in the France star with Kylian Mbappe’s Parc des Prince future thought to be uncertain.

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk