Reports from the Spanish media suggest that Atletico Madrid striker Antoine Griezmann’s wife Erika Choperena has been in Catalonia looking at property. The reports have only increased speculation that the Frenchman is set for a big-money move to La Liga leaders Barcelona. The Catalan giants are long-term admirers of the forward and they could make a concrete for the striker this summer.
Griezmann needs to win the big trophies
Antoine Griezmann has developed into one of the best strikers in the world game. He has been highly prolific in front of goal for Atletico since his arrival in Madrid back in 2014, scoring 75 times in 135 La Liga appearances.
The forward has talked about it being fine to be playing in a team that plays good football, but it means nothing if the team are not winning trophies.
Atletico Madrid are a very good team and have been fighting above their weight both at home and abroad in recent years. Diego Simeone’s side has caused Spain’s big two of Barcelona and Real Madrid major problems in La Liga.
Atletico has also done well in the Champions League reaching the latter stages, including finals against Real Madrid. Los Rojiblancos are second in La Liga. However, a 1-0 defeat at Barcelona last time out put the side from Madrid eight points behind the Catalans in the table.
It is difficult to see Ernesto Valverde’s side dropping that many points for the remainder of the season. It looks unlikely that Griezmann will not win a big trophy this season unless you count the Europa League as a big trophy.
Barcelona needs more attacking quality
The summer departure of Brazilian Neymar helped the balance of Barcelona’s team. However, the Catalan giants are heavily dependent on Argentinian superstar Lionel Messi.
Luis Suarez and Philippe Coutinho are also world-class players. However, beyond the trio, it is funny to say Valverde’s side are lacking much else going forward. Highly rated youngster Ousmane Dembele is yet to find his feet at the Catalan giants.
At the moment, Griezmann looks like he could be an ideal summer signing for the league leaders, even if it will cost them £100million, the forward’s release clause in the summer. The Frenchman would add more star quality in that attacking third and give the team another dimension.
Barcelona’s attacking players tend to work very hard for their team. That sort of hard work would not scare Griezmann.
Messi is brilliant and can do extraordinary things with a football. Barcelona can depend on the 30-year-old to win most games for the Catalan side, but Griezmann is the sort of player that can also be a matchwinner.
Neymar was a matchwinner on many occasions for Barcelona when Messi had a rare off day. Griezmann could play a similar role. However, the Frenchman is a little less high maintenance.
Griezmann move not an easy one
Any move to Barcelona from Atletico Madrid is unlikely to be an easy one. Atleti do not want to sell their talented frontman. However, reports suggest that he has his heart set on a move to Catalonia this summer and wants to get the move tied up before the World Cup.
The Catalan club will need to sell some of their squad players in the summer to sign the France international. The likes of Paco Alcacer, Rafinha, Arda Turan, Andre Gomes and Aleix Vidal all could leave the Catalan club this summer. In terms of quality, Ernesto Valverde’s team could easily cope with the loss of five players.
The striker is now odds of 2/5 to be a Barcelona player before the summer transfer window shuts. It is easy to see why both the player and Barcelona want this deal completed. I can see Griezmann making the move to Barcelona this summer and it would be an excellent signing for the Catalan giants.
Will Antoine Griezmann join Barcelona this summer?
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