Transfer Rumour: Barcelona eyeing future move for Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann

Barcelona have reportedly set their sights on Atletico Madrid superstar Antoine Griezmann as a future replacement for Neymar.

Spanish publication Don Balon have reported that Barcelona could move for Antoine Griezmann in a bid to replace the outbound Neymar. The Brazilian winger looks set to depart from Camp Nou this summer to make the shock move to PSG.

Griezmann’s career has taken off ever since he made the switch to Atletico Madrid from Real Sociedad in 2014. So much so, that the France international is now widely regarded as one of the finest attacking players in the world at the present moment, having established himself as a key figure for both club and country.

The last three years have been highly fruitful for Griezmann, finding the back of the net 83 times in addition to providing 25 assists in 160 appearances for Los Rojiblancos – a direct contribution every 114 minutes.

Furthermore, the player’s impressive performances also helped him finishing third in the race to win the Ballon d’Or. Needless to say, Griezmann has become one of the most highly sought-after players in the transfer market, with some of the biggest clubs vying for his signature.

The latest entrant in the race to sign the Frenchman are Barcelona. The Catalan club are in a highly precarious situation presently, with Neymar being heavily linked with a sensational move to PSG.

The uncertainty surrounding the Brazilian forward has further been aggravated after reports of a training ground bust-up surfaced recently. With Les Parisiens willing to pay his €222 million release clause, and with Neymar open to a move as well, Barcelona have been forced to enter the market for an attacking player.

Their search for a top notch replacement has now led them to Atletico Madrid’s doors, having identified Griezmann as a viable target. The Frenchman has already proven his credentials in La Liga, consistently finishing among the leading goalscorers season after season.

Moreover, at 26, the player can provide his best years to Barcelona. If he can continue playing in a similar vein of form as recent seasons, then Griezmann’s addition will be nothing short of a coup for the Catalan club.

Having said that, Griezmann has publicly committed to remain at Atletico Madrid for at least the 2017/18 season following the transfer ban that was imposed on the club, and has even gone on to sign a new contract with them.

The aforementioned pledge to remain with Los Rojiblancos had ended Manchester United’s interest in the player, with the Red Devils being heavily linked with him for several months.

Barcelona, though, are confident that they can secure the services of Griezmann this summer by shelling out his €100 million release clause. It now remains to be seen if they can persuade the Frenchman to do something that Manchester United couldn’t – leave Atletico Madrid this summer for pastures anew.