Antoine Griezmann

[khaled_a_d]

1) Koeman never liked Griezzy that much. He played him given there were no other options last season simply put.
Look at his recent interview, he sidestepped the question on Griezman's future, answering that the prioriy is Messi to stay.
That is telling

Even if he ends up staying, it is already leaked everywhere that Koeman with have Messi-Depay as creators behind either Ansu or Kun.
Bench-warming will be for Griezzy-boy

PS: I am not in favor of any president instructing a coach to bench anyone.
But that's different discussion.

It isn't a different discussion, since you replied to the part I said that he won't be benched if he stays.
Koeman liked him enough to use him, Griezmann knows he has 3 years and if Laporta tried to bench him it will cause a rift with the manager.

3)'Co' is the old core: Busi, Alba, and Roberto (if he stays)
But more players will agree to it, like FDJ and Lenglet did.
It's not only Pique, but Pique was the first to send the signal that 'we are cooperating with Laporta on this', unlike the signal sent when Barto wanted to cut wages.

Technically what you write about legal binding is correct.
But that's only one side of it, and maybe not the most important.
Clubs have power that go beyond the contract. They can 'force' players to do things.
And now, since Laporta told everybody that our wage bill is 3 or 4 times what it should be, the message is clear for everyone: "Either you reduce your wage, or good-bye"

Old core players haven't accepted a pay cut, and non has discussed making half the payment, it is a wishful thinking.
And again, those players has strong ties to the club, Busquets has a job as Barca coach waiting for him, Roberto is most likely hoping to have a post playing career here too and maybe even Alba. What will Griezmann take cut for?
FDJ and Lenglet has also renewed for more years btw, and most likely with a promise to get a raise once financial situation is sorted.

And let's remember that RM tried to force Bale in every possible way, nothing helped.
The contract termination is an empty threat for a player like Griezmann, you know it and I don't think I need to explain. We would take the Saul contract over Griezmann's termination 100% of the time. Let's not fool ourselves here.

4) not exactly.
True that clubs know we are cash-ridden and want to sell.
That does not mean we are obliged to accept fodder of other teams.
Swap has to work for both clubs.

Plus,
Griezman has still a market value of 60-80m, contrary to all 3 of Suarez, Vidal, Raki, whose value combined last summer would not exceed 20-5m maybe
PSG or City can buy him. I bet both can get interested if we identify a player in their squad that we are interested in.

Remember also that none of Suarez, Vidal, Raki wanted to go.
The decision to leave was not theirs.
What happened not on Barca's terms was the transfer fee and that was not on players' terms, but on the buying club's terms

Here is the problem: You actually believe the rumor about City interest, while not believing the ones about Saul to Liverpool which had stronger sources IIRC.
City fans are either laughing on the rumor, or cursing with scary face afraid it might turn true. They don't want him.
Manu already made their big attacking purchase, PSG has no interest in him, Italian clubs are crippled financially.
The only alternative you are presenting to Saul is City.

Ok, let's say City is offering us big money or players (they won't offer Laporte) better than Saul, I can accept that in such case we should pressure him.

Now, what if there is no offer and it is just wishful thinking from you?
Do you take Saul and save 60M while hoping he will regain form or at least serve as role player? or terminate Griezmann contract or keep him while knowing he can do a Bale on us?

5) Think about why Simeone is Ok with letting him go.
Remember how not OK he was with Griezman leaving back then.

Why would I even care? It is a financially driven deal to save wage. Griezmann is right now the easiest (and potentially the only) way to get the salary cap of ours sorted. We risk not registering other players if we keep him.
Anything he provides on the pitch will be a plus.
And Simeone will be ok to make him move because he will get Griezmann back while getting a replacement for Saul in De Paul

 

[Birdy]

Old core players haven't accepted a pay cut, and non has discussed making half the payment, it is a wishful thinking.
And again, those players has strong ties to the club, Busquets has a job as Barca coach waiting for him, Roberto is most likely hoping to have a post playing career here too and maybe even Alba. What will Griezmann take cut for?
FDJ and Lenglet has also renewed for more years btw, and most likely with a promise to get a raise once financial situation is sorted.

And let's remember that RM tried to force Bale in every possible way, nothing helped.
The contract termination is an empty threat for a player like Griezmann, you know it and I don't think I need to explain. We would take the Saul contract over Griezmann's termination 100% of the time. Let's not fool ourselves here.

I think you are missing something here.
Laporta send the message to everyone, and the first one who is leading the way is Messi, not even Pique.
Renewing with much reduction in his wages.
Which player can say "I will not do what Messi did" and demand his full wage?
Probably no sane one, unless he is finished and does not care about his career (Umtiti).
Wait the next days to see all of the squad members to accept one after another a wage reduction.
The ones refusing will stand out like a fly in the milk.

Your comparison with Bale is telling:
Bale did not want to play football. He was content with pocketing his wage and playing golf (worse than Umtiti).
He also had a reserved seat in his NT, unlike majors NTs who won't wait for you when you don't play football.

You can't compare him to Griezman, who has some ambition and pride in him.
He will never accept getting rotten at some bench or at some stands just to pocket a wage.
That's why he will accept either transfer out or a wage reduction

About the rest:
- City will def. offer Laporte. The player wants to go, Pep and their hierarchy knows, they will try to include him in a deal they would like.

- Simeone is not getting a replacement, he is getting a 1000% upgrade and a type of player Barca needs.
Barca should look at better solutions at other clubs, or better players of Atleti (like Felix)

 

[Joan]

From the rumors, there are two known possible paths to get rid of his wages.

(i) the Atletico way - Saul for Griezmann, no money exchange involved. They're using the fact we're cornered to the full extent since Griezmann is obviously the more influential player than Saul and factors like age and salary can't make up for it. In more usual circumstances, there'd be some money going our way too. Plus: besides getting rid of Griezmann's wages, an okayish player who likely wouldn't start.

(ii) the City way - Laporte + money for Griezmann. Money due to Laporte's contract running out soon. Not particularly fond of Laporte, but there's no doubt he'd walk straight into our starting lineup and strengthen our weakest line. It's obviously the better deal.

Now, depends on what's actually on the table. I don't see us going along with Simeone's plans unless there's no other option to keep Messi.

 

[Andresito]

How's the technicality regarding a swap? Are the players written off at 0 cost? That'd mean we'd make an extreme loss on Griezmann.

We could go the inflated swap route, with Atleti paying 80m for Griezmann and we pay a bit less for Saul. But we can only spend 1/4th of what we get, right?

 

[khaled_a_d]

(ii) the City way - Laporte + money for Griezmann. Money due to Laporte's contract running out soon.

He has a contract till 2025

How's the technicality regarding a swap? Are the players written off at 0 cost? That'd mean we'd make an extreme loss on Griezmann.

We could go the inflated swap route, with Atleti paying 80m for Griezmann and we pay a bit less for Saul. But we can only spend 1/4th of what we get, right?

Griezmann cost us 105M on paper (in addition to 15M paid to AM for right to refuse on other players, but on paper that is a separate deal) and he signed 5 year contract. That is 21M per year.
So Griezmann is of 63M value, if a direct swap happens it means on paper Saul is now a 63M signing on Barca.
Difference is Saul is on 5 years contract, so he will be costing 12.5M per year from now on.

 

[Messi983]

How's the technicality regarding a swap? Are the players written off at 0 cost? That'd mean we'd make an extreme loss on Griezmann.

We could go the inflated swap route, with Atleti paying 80m for Griezmann and we pay a bit less for Saul. But we can only spend 1/4th of what we get, right?

Nope, both/all players included in a swap need to be valued for FFP purposes. For example Barca and AM can agree to swap Griezmann for Saul and 20m but in reality we'd sell Griezmann for let's say 60m and buy Saul for 40m.

I think Laporta said he won't make inflated swaps.

Also, La liga salary cap rules are not really clear nor logical to me.

 

[Messi983]

He has a contract till 2025




Griezmann cost us 105M on paper (in addition to 15M paid to AM for right to refuse on other players, but on paper that is a separate deal) and he signed 5 year contract. That is 21M per year.
So Griezmann is of 63M value, if a direct swap happens it means on paper Saul is now a 63M signing on Barca.
Difference is Saul is on 5 years contract, so he will be costing 12.5M per year from now on.

We actually paid 120m (his buy out clause) so his value on the books is still around 72m.

 

[Birdy]

From the rumors, there are two known possible paths to get rid of his wages.

(i) the Atletico way - Saul for Griezmann, no money exchange involved. They're using the fact we're cornered to the full extent since Griezmann is obviously the more influential player than Saul and factors like age and salary can't make up for it. In more usual circumstances, there'd be some money going our way too. Plus: besides getting rid of Griezmann's wages, an okayish player who likely wouldn't start.

(ii) the City way - Laporte + money for Griezmann. Money due to Laporte's contract running out soon. Not particularly fond of Laporte, but there's no doubt he'd walk straight into our starting lineup and strengthen our weakest line. It's obviously the better deal.

Now, depends on what's actually on the table. I don't see us going along with Simeone's plans unless there's no other option to keep Messi.

Makes perfect sense to follow the City way because first and foremost Laporte is someone we are interested in, contrary to Saul.

News coming out today paint a different picture, thankfully:

"Barcelona don't want Antoine Griezmann to join Atl?tico Madrid, even though the player would be interested in a move to his former side. The club don't want to repeat a 'Su?rez debacle', by reinforcing a direct rival. In addition, a possible deal would involve Atl?tico Madrid players in an exchange, but none of their players interest Bar?a. Therefore, the Catalans want him to join a team in the Premier League or perhaps a team in Italy." [sport]

I am sure Laporta is not dumb like Barto, and is not going to cater to the wants of a spoiled cocky kid like Griezzy

 

[Devils]

@Alfremartinezz | Griezmann was not asked to cut salaries like the other players. This is a sign that he will be in the transfer market.

 

[DonAK]

Gotta say these Griezmann to City rumors don't really make much sense. Also skeptical because I'm yet to see a reporter or journalist close to City report they're interested.

If they want a #9 like Kane why would Griezmann be an alternative to him? Wouldn't they rather go after a player like Lukaku?

Why would they even contemplate paying Laporte + cash for Griezmann if they can just go after Messi and try to force Barca into a tougher situation instead?

 

[Prodi]

#GriezmannNoTeQueremos (Griezmann we dont want you) is trending topic in Spain by Atletico fans.

 

[ronniecro]

maybe he'll go to USA sooner than he thought?

 

[Messigician]

🚨 [Okdiario] | Antoine Griezmann and Ousmane Demb?l? have now been transfer-listed as Bar?a seek to sell both French attackers to clear room for Messi's new contract ageement https://t.co/khD0F0vRxT

 

[SeloBarca]

No loan deals please
We need cash
Dembele and Griezmann are not needed players.

 

[xxxxxx]

This is irrelevant in any case because he won't want to leave and be on lower wages. I doubt any team wants a 30-year-old plus player who is on 800k plus a week. Besides, he isn't that good.

Also, Dembele won't be able to leave due to his injury.