Home » Barcelona rule out Griezmann-Saul swap deal

Barcelona rule out Griezmann-Saul swap deal

The swap deal between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid has been on advanced stage before cooled off by couple of reasons.

Talks have broken down and the conditions demanded by Barcelona have been rejected by Atletico Madrid, according to the Catalan-based Mundo Deportivo.

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This means no more Griezmann-Saul swap deal. There is no possibility for this operation to be back on track.

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Barca’s demand too much

Barcelona has only itself to blame in this situation. The Catalan football club demanded for more cash plus more player for Griezmann. There was talk of adding Joao Felix in this deal.

The original deal was only swapping Saul for Griezmann, plus at least 20 million euro. But Barca thought the French striker is woth more than just that.

Atletico Madrid, of course, turned it down. As they were only willing to let Saul go. The Spanish midfielder has no longer Diego Simeone’s favorite choice.

Griezmann’ salary was too high

It is also notable that Griezmann’s salary played a big part in the collapse of the deal. He ranks in top 3 highest paid players of Barcelona.

And Barcelona does not want to repeat the Luis Suarez’s case this time. Barca are adamant that they will not pay a single cent for Griezmann’s wage.

It happened with Suarez, just last season. Barca accepted to pay the Uruguayan striker his wage, in order to push him to Atletico Madrid.

Atletico, who can not afford Griezmann huge wage, said no.

What’s next for Saul, Griezmann

Now with the swap deal collapsed, it is still guaranteed that both are on their ways out.

Premier League’s clubs are following the deals. Liverpool is looking for Gini Wijnaldum’s replacement, and they are looking at Saul.

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Saul is only 28 years old, and quite versatile. He can be either a AMF or a box-to-box MD.

While the blaugranas has to kick Griezmann out, not only for his pool performance, but also for the burden of his wage on their shoulders.

Selling Griezmann is somehow the only way to guarantee that Lionel Messi will continue with the club. But with the hope is now gone to swap with Atletico, Barca must look for new hopes with other clubs, maybe, PSG.