Barcelona forward Antoine Griezmann has emerged as a surprise transfer target for Manchester City as Pep Guardiola eyes attacking reinforcements this summer.
According to a report from Spanish publication Fichajes, Barcelona superstar Antoine Griezmann has popped up on the radars of Premier League champions Manchester City as a potential alternative for first-choice transfer target Harry Kane.
Griezmann has been with Barcelona for two years now, having made a big-money switch from Atletico Madrid in 2019. However, the Frenchman hasn’t had the easiest of times at Camp Nou, failing to meet the lofty expectations that came with the massive investment made on him. The season gone by saw the 30-year-old make some valuable contributions, though, especially towards the backend of the campaign.
Griezmann ended the campaign with a more than a respectable tally of 20 goals and 12 assists from 51 games across all competitions. But, given Barcelona’s difficult financial situation, speculations continue to linger over his future at Camp Nou, and Manchester City could be ready to capitalise on that by launching a move for the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner.
Manchester City are in the market for a new centre-forward following the departure of Sergio Aguero, who coincidentally has ended up at Barcelona, set to play alongside Griezmann next season. The club’s all-time leading goalscorer, his departure has left a gaping hole in attack, even though he did not feature all that much in his last season at the Etihad Stadium.
Tottenham superstar Harry Kane has emerged as the priority candidate for Pep Guardiola & co. but with Tottenham likely to play hardball on the transfer fee for the England captain, the Cityzens are keeping their options open, with Griezmann now emerging as an alternative to the 27-year-old. The report claims that the Frenchman has a huge admirer in Guardiola, who previously wanted to sign him at the club.
Furthermore, it also claims that Griezmann’s ability to play as a false-nine would allow Manchester City to continue to play the way they did for most of the last season without a proper striker available. The likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, had been used in the false-nine role to some degree of success, but the Barcelona ace would be much more adept at playing in such a position as he can link up play well and pose a greater goal threat.
As a result, Manchester City are now considering a swoop for Griezmann, knowing that Barcelona’s financial situation could very well force them into a sale. The possibility of player exchanges also exists, considering as the Blaugrana have been linked with a host of City players of late, including the likes of Silva and Joao Cancelo, among others.
It remains to be seen whether Manchester City do turn their interest in Griezmann into a formal approach this summer. For now, the 30-year-old has emerged as an option for Guardiola in case the pursuit of Kane falls through.
Barcelona forward Antoine Griezmann has emerged as a surprise transfer target for Manchester City as Pep Guardiola eyes attacking reinforcements this summer.
According to a report from Spanish publication Fichajes, Barcelona superstar Antoine Griezmann has popped up on the radars of Premier League champions Manchester City as a potential alternative for first-choice transfer target Harry Kane.
Griezmann has been with Barcelona for two years now, having made a big-money switch from Atletico Madrid in 2019. However, the Frenchman hasn’t had the easiest of times at Camp Nou, failing to meet the lofty expectations that came with the massive investment made on him. The season gone by saw the 30-year-old make some valuable contributions, though, especially towards the backend of the campaign.
Griezmann ended the campaign with a more than a respectable tally of 20 goals and 12 assists from 51 games across all competitions. But, given Barcelona’s difficult financial situation, speculations continue to linger over his future at Camp Nou, and Manchester City could be ready to capitalise on that by launching a move for the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner.
Manchester City are in the market for a new centre-forward following the departure of Sergio Aguero, who coincidentally has ended up at Barcelona, set to play alongside Griezmann next season. The club’s all-time leading goalscorer, his departure has left a gaping hole in attack, even though he did not feature all that much in his last season at the Etihad Stadium.
Tottenham superstar Harry Kane has emerged as the priority candidate for Pep Guardiola & co. but with Tottenham likely to play hardball on the transfer fee for the England captain, the Cityzens are keeping their options open, with Griezmann now emerging as an alternative to the 27-year-old. The report claims that the Frenchman has a huge admirer in Guardiola, who previously wanted to sign him at the club.
Furthermore, it also claims that Griezmann’s ability to play as a false-nine would allow Manchester City to continue to play the way they did for most of the last season without a proper striker available. The likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, had been used in the false-nine role to some degree of success, but the Barcelona ace would be much more adept at playing in such a position as he can link up play well and pose a greater goal threat.
As a result, Manchester City are now considering a swoop for Griezmann, knowing that Barcelona’s financial situation could very well force them into a sale. The possibility of player exchanges also exists, considering as the Blaugrana have been linked with a host of City players of late, including the likes of Silva and Joao Cancelo, among others.
It remains to be seen whether Manchester City do turn their interest in Griezmann into a formal approach this summer. For now, the 30-year-old has emerged as an option for Guardiola in case the pursuit of Kane falls through.