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Barcelona want Antoine Griezmann to snub transfer in order to complete Neymar signing
BARCELONA have outlined a bold plan in their desire to re-sign Neymar from PSG, and Antoine Griezmann could play a key role.
Barcelona is 'optimistic' that they will sign Neymar says Laurens
Barcelona have agreed a deal to sign Antoine Griezmann this summer before news emerged that Neymar is keen on a return to Spain.
That unexpected development has led to a change of heart from club bosses, who now favour a move for Neymar over Atletico Madrid’s France international.
The difficult comes with the fact that a deal has already been agreed for the Frenchman, but Barcelona are not giving up yet.
Spanish outlet Marca have reported that the Catalan giants are hoping that PSG will take up the deal that they’ve agreed with Atletico for Griezmann, which would give them enough room on their transfer and wage budgets to resign Neymar.
If Griezmann’s deal to join Barcelona does go through, his wages will increase across the five years.
The 28-year-old is set to earn £16million after tax in his in his first two seasons before £18m in his third, £20m in his fourth and £22m in his fifth.
At Atletico he earns £18m per year, which means he will be taking a temporary pay cut to join the Ernesto Valverde’s side - but even so, it is unlikely that the club could afford to add both him and Neymar, who earns £34m per year at PSG.
Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu is now trying to consider his options, with the report claiming that the playing squad would prefer to add the Brazilian to their ranks.
La Liga expert Graham Hunter gave his thoughts on the transfer saga last weekend, and he believes that Lionel Messi is set on seeing Neymar return.
He wrote for ESPN India: “The financial gymnastics in which Barcelona are indulging to sign both Neymar and Griezmann are, to any Barca purist from the Johan Cruyff/Guardiola/Txiki Begiristain school of thought, an aberration.
“It's the mentality of Real Madrid-esque Galactico purchasing - nearly €300m lavished on Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele, but hey ‘cash them in and re-splurge!’
“The team seems jaded, or wilts in the red-hot heat of Anfield. Just like in Paris, Turin or Rome in recent years.
Barcelona: Neymar’s return is a ‘complex transfer’ says pundit
“Adding Griezmann and Neymar is another nod of disrespect, indeed disdain, not only towards the youth academy [La Masia] work and ideals, but more specifically to Carles Alena and Ricki Puig whose form and maturity are beginning to demand significantly more game time in the first XI.
“Let's not ignore the dilemma of club president Josep Maria Bartomeu, either, after he explicitly stated that one of his legacies, before his mandate ends in 2021, should be renewing Messi's contract once again.
“If, as I believe, Messi has made it clear to Bartomeu that he must try to bring Neymar ‘home’ then how does the president slap that request down, or ignore it, but then start what he hopes will be fruitful, effective negotiations with team Messi?”