In every summer transfer window, there are always a multitude of rumors — including those involving Barcelona — that many pay no attention to and rather question its credibility. But over time, there are some such rumors that pick up steam and surprise many.
This summer, French forward Antoine Griezmann has emerged in the transfer rumor mill over a possible departure from Barcelona. The Les Bleus star just capped off a season with Barca in which he totaled for 31 goal contributions in all competitions.
Even after such a promising season with the Catalan side, Barca club officials are well open to offloading the Frenchman.
According to a report from the Spanish-based outlet Deportes Cuatro (via Sport), Barca is looking to slash wages by a staggering 40 percent in order to afford to sign current free agent Lionel Messi. One of Barca's options in this arduous task is to find a suitor for Griezmann, who is currently the club's highest-paid player.
As Barcelona sees that no club would be willing to outright sign Griezmann, it has turned to player-for-player swaps as a possible solution to this matter.
For one, Sport noted that Barca would be open to sending Griezmann back to Atletico Madrid in exchange for rising star Joao Felix, although the reigning La Liga champions prefer to send veteran midfielder Saul instead.
Aside from the economic complications that could arise from such a move, Barca would not solve its on-field issues by offloading Griezmann in favor of Felix.
Griezmann showed promise towards the end of the season as he formed a formidable partnership alongside Messi. Whether as a winger or center forward, the French star began to find his groove with Barca; he managed to be a reliable goal-scorer and found success in being a catalyst during Barcelona's build-up sequences while in the opponent's defensive third.
Felix is very well up there in being one of football's rising talents today. However, Barca is currently in win-now mode, as it heads into the upcoming season with an aim to win the UEFA Champions League and La Liga competitions.
Thus, if Barcelona plans to sell Griezmann, it would need an immediate impact player who can come in and replace the Frenchman's attacking production. Felix is a talent filled with potential, but it would surely be too much to ask for him to chip in for 30-plus goal contributions this upcoming season.
It remains to be seen on just what Barca plans to do in regard to Griezmann's future with the club.
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