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Barcelona news: Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann plan explained, No 7 shirt saved
BARCELONA are reportedly planning to play Lionel Messi AND Antoine Griezmann in midfield roles next season as Ernesto Valverde goes on the attack.
Moreno explains 'struggle' between Coutinho and Messi
The Spanish giants are renowned for their prowess going forward and have scored a La Liga-high 59 goals in 21 games this season.
That incredible rate of scoring has come despite the loss of Neymar to Paris Saint-Germain in a world-record deal last summer.
Barcelona have no plans to stand still though and are planning their own forays into the transfer market to become even more potent.
Valverde wants to lure Griezmann to the Nou Camp from Atletico Madrid and the latest reports suggest the Barca boss has a plan in mind to accommodate the Frenchman.
According to Don Balon, Valverde intends to use Griezmann in a more withdrawn role than he’s used to, alongside Messi.
The duo would play off Luis Suarez with neither one leading the line as they have done in the past.
Griezmann is apparently expected to perform more defensive duties than Messi having been made to work back under Diego Simeone.
Ernesto Valverde plans to play Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann off Luis Suarez at Barcelona
Antoine Griezmann's six spectacular goals at the Euros
Atletico Madrid star Antoine Griezmann is wanted at Barcelona by Ernesto Valverde
Valverde is planning to play Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele in his all-star line-up too, with the big-money buys on the wings.
Coutinho took on the No 14 shirt after arriving at Barcelona from Liverpool last month having been tipped to don the No 7.
However, that jersey, vacated by Arda Turan, has been saved for when Griezmann swaps the Wanda Metropolitano for the Nou Camp.
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