According to the latest reports from Sport, Barcelona’s long term target Antoine Griezmann is set to snub a move to Barcelona to play in France for Paris Saint Germain. The Spanish champions have long been linked with a move for him, and recently the Atletico Madrid star revealed that he is going to leave Atletico Madrid. Many expected Barcelona to be Griezmann’s likely destination, but it seems like the French heavyweights are expected to win the race for him.
It is being said that rejection from Barcelona’s dressing room, and some part of the fanbase is the reason why Griezmann doesn’t want to join the Catalan giants. The report also suggests that the French star has already met with PSG’s president Nasser Al-Khelaifi and everything has been signed off. The French heavyweights are also in need of an attacker as they want to replace the ageing Edinson Cavani.
A blow to Barcelona
This should come as a blow to Barcelona if they were keen on Griezmann. Barcelona might have won the La Liga title again but the last month of the season ruined their chances of winning the treble as they were bettered by Liverpool in the Champions League and by Valencia in the Copa Del Rey.
For most of the clubs, this would still constitute as a successful campaign, but such are the standards of the Blaugrana that they desperately need to improve. One of the primary reasons is that they have seen their arch-rivals Real Madrid win three Champions League titles in a row and the European competition was considered as the major goal for the club.
Why Barcelona needs Griezmann?
Luis Suarez has served the Spanish giants well over the years, but the 32-year-old is in a downward trajectory, and he isn’t the same player anymore. The club has been linked with plenty of attackers in the last few months, and Griezmann would have been an ideal player to start up front.
The Frenchman is known for his impressive work rate and link up play, and he would have slotted in well in the Barcelona lineup. His goal scoring record for a pragmatic and conservative side like Atletico Madrid is remarkable, and in a team like Barcelona, he would have scored goals for fun with Lionel Messi and other top players around to create goal scoring chances.
PSG have shown that they are willing to splash big money to land top targets and maybe they might have pipped Barcelona to Griezmann. However, we are expecting some twists and Barcelona might still have a chance if they decide to step up their pursuit.
