Atletico Madrid star Antoine Griezmann finally ended all rumours circling his name over a probable move to Barcelona by releasing a documentary titled, The Decision. After much drama, the Frenchman confirmed his intentions to stay with the Rojiblancos for the upcoming season.
At 27, Griezmann realised his allegiance lies with the club whom he has spent the last 4 years with and also agreed to a new contract last July with a €100m release clause. As the show aired on Spanish television channel, Movistar+, the striker was quoted, “They are doing everything possible to make sure the team keeps growing. It’s incredible. I can’t take it anymore, I need to tell the people that I want to stay.”
In the current market, there might not be another striker quite like Griezmann with the same technical and scoring tools. However, this might prompt Barcelona management to start thinking about alternative options they could possibly attempt to sign this very summer.
Lionel Messi and the rest of the Blaugrana are not prepared to see another season where their bitter rivals upstage them to the European title. With Andres Iniesta quitting the Camp Nou, Barcelona are relatively weaker and could use another marquee name in their squad.
Neymar’s absence can still be felt to this day with both Ousmane Dembele and Philippe Coutinho adjusting to life with the La Liga giants. Messi alone cannot carry the offence and Luis Suarez’s age is starting to catch up to him.
Here are a few names Ernesto Valverde should consider as probable replacements.
Kylian Mbappe
Another young forward with the ability to play anywhere in the final third, Mbappe is one of the rising stars in French football and is already touted to succeed the likes of Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to the Balon d’Or throne. He will understandably cost a world record fee with Paris Saint-Germain yet to activate his permanent switch from AS Monaco.
Paulo Dybala
The Juventus man is an attacking star who almost mimics the game of Messi himself but not entirely up to the Balon d’Or winner’s standards. Still only 24, Dybala has the potential of one day turning into one of the best players on the planet. The question lies in whether the Bianconeri will agree to part ways with him and whether he will the right fit into Valverde’s system.
Read More: Barcelona Receive An Offer For Their Portuguese Midfielder: Why It Can Be From Tottenham Hotspur!
Robert Lewandowski
Bayern Munich were in shock to hear of Lewandowski’s wishes to quit the side this summer. The 30-year-old Pole is one of the world’s best centre-forwards and is ready for a new challenge, hopefully to a stronger competitor for the Champions League trophy.
