Barcelona have ‘considered’ a swap deal with Manchester City as they look to get Antoine Griezmann off the books.
That’s according to Mundo Deportivo, citing Catalunya Radio, who say the La Liga giants have looked at Raheem Sterling, Riyad Mahrez, Bernardo Silva and Aymeric Laporte as options.
Barcelona are keen to move Griezmann on this summer as he is one of the highest earners in the squad, and they need to bring their wage bill down.
Finding a suitor for the Frenchman is proving to be tough, though, with his high cost and wage demands, meaning plenty simply can’t afford the move in the current financial climate.
One who could do so is Manchester City, and they have subsequently been linked on several occasions, with Pep Guardiola looking to add a striker to his squad this summer.
Top of the list is Harry Kane, and Mundo Deportivo state that the fact they have ‘almost tied up’ the Tottenham man means they can ‘practically rule out’ Griezmann’s arrival at the Etihad.
However, they add that Barcelona aren’t doing so just yet and have ‘considered a possible swap’ with names such as Sterling, Mahrez, Bernardo Silva and Laporte on the list of options.
Whether Manchester City would accept such a deal isn’t mentioned, although reports over the last few months have indicated that all four of those players are ones they would allow to move on as something of a squad refresh.
That suggests there could be something in it for Barcelona if they wish to pursue, although Griezmann may take some convincing.
According to Sport, he’s made it clear to those in charge at the Nou Camp that he will only leave if he is re-join Atlético Madrid.
Barcelona see this as impossible but are working on it anyway and will push for a ‘good deal’ in August, which may see this idea of a Manchester City swap deal come back to the fore.
