Barcelona ‘willing’ to listen to ‘offers’ for Antoine Griezmann this summer

Barcelona’s rebuild not to include Griezmann

Barcelona have not endured the best of seasons. Despite a 4-0 win over Athletic Club in the Copa del Rey final, a lacklustre elimination to PSG in the Champions League and key losses in the title race mean that it is unlikely the Blaugrana will pick up the La Liga crown.

Therefore it is expected that a rebuild under Ronald Koeman could be expected in the summer with the future of Lionel Messi still to finalise.

This could see a number of players in the first team squad made available for transfer.

It seems though that one of the players the club are willing to hear offers for this summer is Antoine Griezmann.

“Barça would be willing to transfer Antoine Griezmann if the correct offer arrives,” wrote transfer journalist for Calciomercato and Sky Sports Matteo Moretto.

El Barça estaría dispuesto a traspasar a Antoine Griezmann si llega la oferta correcta 🇫🇷

— Matteo Moretto (@MatteMoretto) May 14, 2021

Speaking before the current season, Griezmann was headstrong in pointing out that his immediate future was in Catalonia.

“Is my future is at Barca? Yes. I don’t know why people invent destinations to see if one day they will be right,” he said.

“I am very well there. I know I have the confidence of the club and the coach so I am well. It has been a very complicated season for all of us but now we start again.”

Whether that has now changed is unknown from the player’s perspective.

Griezmann ‘important’ says Koeman

Despite talk of departures, Ronald Koeman’s most recent quotes last month stated he sees the Frenchman as a ‘very important player’ for the club.

“Antoine is a very important player for us. During the summer we spoke with him,” he said.

BARCELONA, SPAIN – FEBRUARY 16: Head Coach Ronald Koeman of FC Barcelona looks on during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 match between FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain at Camp Nou on February 16, 2021 in Barcelona, Spain. Sporting stadiums around Spain remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Alex Caparros – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

“Whenever forwards are not clinical enough they can be criticised but I really like him as a player – he works so hard for the team and he always helps us, and looks out for the group.

“He has had some bad luck this season but he has more confidence now, that is true. He demonstrated that with his first goal against Villarreal; you needed confidence to score that. We hope he continues like this.”

Whether anyone can meet the ‘acceptable’ standards to convince Barcelona to sell is as of yet unclear. Now 30, it may be difficult to find clubs willing to pay a figure close to recouping the immense fee paid to Atletico Madrid.

Barcelona looking to move four players on in summer – including Coutinho & Griezmann

Arsenal ready to pounce on Antoine Griezmann should he leave Barca this summer