Antoine Griezmann Wasn't Told About Transfer Negotiations Between Barcelona And Atletico Madrid

Barcelona's attempts to send Antoine Griezmann back to Atletico Madrid have been complicated by the fact the club didn't tell the player negotiations had started.

Griezmann moved from Atletico to Barcelona in 2019, a year after he was originally expected to leave for the Nou Camp, but things haven't worked out as well as expected.

Lionel Messi's potential departure suggested that the France forward might get a starring role in the side, in his preferred role, but things have no changed.

The former Atleti star was reportedly going to be sacrificed if Messi signed a new deal and as soon as reports came out that the six time Ballon d'Or winner had agreed a new contract it was reported that Barca were negotiating with their rivals to swap Griezmann for Saul Niguez.

However it seems that the forward wasn't in the loop, with RMC journalist Loic Tanzi reporting that Griezmann wasn't told about the negotiations.

Griezmann became one of the best forward's in Europe during five years at Atletico. Image: PA Images

Tanzi also says that the gap in the salary that the former Real Sociedad forward gets at Barcelona and the one he'd get at Atletico is 'significant.'

Barca need to trim their wage bill in order to register their new signings, which includes Sergio Aguero and Memphis Depay, and Messi had to agree a 50% wage cut.

Whether or not the Catalan giants could afford to pay some of their potentially departing player's wages in order to help grease the wheels of the move remains to be seen.

Saul could be heading to Barcelona. Image: PA Images

The 30-year-old was also linked with a move to Chelsea, with the Premier League club desperate to add a striker this summer.

The Blues have been strongly linked with moves for Harry Kane and Erling Haaland, with a bid for the latter reportedly having been rejected.

Dortmund do not want to sell Haaland this summer, despite the fact he can leave for £75 million in a years time, having already agreed to sell Jadon Sancho.

A swap back Atletico makes more sense for Griezmann, as he would likely still return a hero, despite leaving in the first place.

Saul moving in the opposite direction would also make sense, with the midfielder having already fallen down Diego Simeone's pecking order before Rodrigo de Paul signed this week.

Topics: Football, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Antoine Griezmann, La Liga

Ryan Sidle

Ryan is a writer for SPORTbible. He covers all sport from football, formula one, cricket, rugby, tennis, athletics, mma and wrestling. He obviously hates YOUR football team and has no interest in synchronised swimming.

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