FC Barcelona, Barca v Atletico de Madrid - La Liga Santander Antoine Griezmann of Barcelona looks during the La Liga Santander match between FC Barcelona and Atletico de Madrid at Camp Nou on May 8, 2021 in Barcelona, Spain. Sporting stadiums around Spain remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. Barcelona Spain breton-fcbarcel210508_npzod PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxFRA Copyright: xJosexBretonx
According to SPORT (h/t Express), Chelsea have expressed an interest in signing Barcelona superstar Antoine Griezmann this summer. But the Frenchman prefers a transfer to Atletico Madrid.
Griezmann arrived at Barcelona in the summer of 2019 from Atletico Madrid in a mega-money deal. Widely regarded among the best in the world at the time, the 30-year-old has struggled to live up to the expectations since arriving at Camp Nou.
The 2018 FIFA World Cup winner did show signs of revival in the second half of the last season. But Barcelona’s financial plight means they are in need of offloading a few of their highest earners to balance the books, and Griezmann, as a result, is now set to face the axe.
Griezmann’s potential availability this summer has alerted several top clubs across Europe with the likes of Juventus, Manchester City, Manchester United taking an interest, along with Chelsea.
The Blues are in the market for a new striker this summer as Olivier Giroud and Tammy Abraham are set for an exit. Erling Haaland remains a priority transfer target for Thomas Tuchel & co. But, in case a move for the Norwegian international fails to materialise, Griezmann wouldn’t be the worst option, despite his recent issues at Barcelona.
However, a move for the Frenchman wouldn’t exactly be straightforward given the interest from the other clubs. In addition to that, it is claimed that Griezmann himself favours a return to former club Atletico Madrid if he were to leave Barcelona this summer.
Barcelona, on their part, are reluctant to do a deal with Atletico due to fears that it will give rise to another Luis Suarez scenario. The Uruguayan left Camp Nou for Atleti last summer and led them to the La Liga title. In addition, the Spanish champions want to work out a swap deal for Griezmann, something that Barca are not interested in.
So, it gives Chelsea some room to make a move for the World Cup winner. Haaland, though, remains the top priority.
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