Barcelona met Griezmann’s agent in October, confirms Bartomeu

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has confirmed the membership held talks with Antoine Griezmann’s agent as early as October.

The France star has been heavily linked with a lope to Barca from Atletico Madrid at the end of the season, with Luis Suarez hinting final week that a deal could well bear already bought been agreed.

Even supposing Atleti boss Diego Simeone denied that turn into the case, Griezmann – who is talked about to bear a €100million liberate clause in his contract – is expected to resolve his future sooner than the World Cup begins in June.

And Bartomeu says contact turn into made with the 27-twelve months-light’s entourage early this season.

« We rep now not talk about gamers at numerous clubs, » Bartomeu initially instructed RAC, as quoted by Sport. 

He then added: « I seen Griezmann in some unspecified time in the future on vacation. We met alongside with his agent, certain. It turn into in October.

« We talk with [Atleti president Enrique] Cerezo about many issues. We now bear a authorized relationship with them. »

Three – Antoine Griezmann is the principle Atletico player to catch in three consecutive La Liga away video games against Real Madrid in the Twenty first century (three targets). Dance. pic.twitter.com/Y755G1jICd

— OptaJose (@OptaJose) Eight April 2018

Griezmann turn into initially linked with Barca final twelve months as a possible replacement for Neymar, who joined Paris Saint-Germain for a world-document price of €222million.

The Brazil star has been tipped to map to LaLiga with fierce competitors Real Madrid, and Bartomeu sees no cause the lope could well now not happen.

« He can function what he needs, » he talked about. « If he goes to Madrid, we are going to play against him. 

« We were a good deal surprised how he left. The day he talked about it turn into done, it had already been done for a whereas. »

Ousmane Dembele turn into the player signed to interchange Neymar, getting back from Borussia Dortmund for an preliminary price of €105m.

The 20-twelve months-light has struggled to fabricate an impression this season, though, with a serious hamstring injury having kept him sidelined between September and early January.

There were solutions Dembele would be despatched out on mortgage however Bartomeu insists there could be now not any such thing as a such plot.

« That choice is now not on the desk, » he talked about. « We’re finishing the season after which there will likely be conferences. 

« Dembele is of conducting for our future. When a player involves Barca, or now not it is on memoir of Valverde needs him. They are gamers who can at all times play. He is very younger and we ask heaps of issues from him. »