Griezmann and Joao Felix are in discussions between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, according to sources.
Various sources have verified to ESPN that
Barcelona and Atletico Madrid have begun talks about a swap deal involving Joao Felix and Antoine Griezmann.
On Monday, Barca’s request to take Felix on loan was rejected by Atletico Madrid, but the club returned on Tuesday with a fresh proposition, including Griezmann.
Jorge Mendes, Felix’s agent, is acting as a go-between in the negotiations, and sources close to Griezmann told ESPN that a return to Atletico is not “impossible.”
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However, sources informed ESPN that Felix leaving at this point in the window would be tough since coach Diego Simeone does not want to lose him. Atletico Madrid, on the other hand, would be open to reopening discussions about swapping midfielder Saul Niguez for Griezmann.
According to ESPN, Barcelona would not want to lose Griezmann unless there was an assurance that another attacker would be brought in.
Earlier this summer, ESPN reported that the two teams had discussed a possible trade involving Saul and Griezmann.
The negotiations fell apart because of a disparity between the two parties’ values.
Griezmann was considering returning to Atletico Madrid after leaving for Barcelona in 2019 for a price of approximately €120 million.
Simeone wants to work with Griezmann again, but not at the cost of Felix, according to reports. Before going to Camp Nou, the 30-year-old French striker spent five years under Simeone, scoring 133 goals in 257 games.
Felix, 21, joined Atletico Madrid as Griezmann’s successor two years ago for €126 million from Benfica in Portugal. In two seasons at Wanda Metropolitano, he has 19 goals in 76 games.
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Meanwhile, Chelsea has shown an interest in Saul. Last week, ESPN reported that the English club contacted Atletico about a season-long loan with the possibility of a permanent move afterwards. Manchester United has shown an interest as well.
Because of their financial difficulties, Barcelona’s transfer market activity has been restricted this summer. President Joan Laporta recently announced that the country’s total debt is €1.35 billion. Sergio Aguero, Memphis Depay, and Eric Garcia joined on free transfers,
while Emerson Royal, a €9 million signing, is expected to join Tottenham on Tuesday in a deal worth up to €30 million.
Ilaix Moriba, a young midfielder, is also expected to join RB Leipzig in Germany before the transfer window ends for approximately €20 million.
Other players who have departed this summer include Lionel Messi, Junior Firpo, Francisco Trincao, and Konrad de la Fuente, freeing up some salary space for coach Ronald Koeman, who has asked for another striker.
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