Laporta talks Griezmann’s Barcelona future amid exit rumors

Barcelona president Joan Laporta offered an update on Antoine Griezmann’s future on Thursday amid speculation the club is looking to sell the Frenchman this summer.

There has been intense speculation recently that Griezmann will be offloaded to make room for Lionel Messi’s new contract.

A return to former club Atletico Madrid has been rumored, and Laporta spoke about the World Cup winner at Memphis Depay’s unveiling.

“Griezmann is a Barca player, he has a contract with the club until 2024 and unless circumstances change, we are counting on him,” he said.

“There have been some movements on the market and we can’t deny that there’s been interest in him. That’s a sign of his quality.

“It’s a special market and you have to use your imagination, perhaps thinking in swap deals, but we value Antoine a lot. The club made a big investment in him and we are happy with him.

“It’s not easy for a club to come in with an offer for a player at his level. But the transfer window is just getting started and there’s a market for Griezmann.

“If things start moving, we’re open to all proposals because we’re in a delicate moment financially and we have to balance the books for to comply with the league’s financial fair play rules.”

Source | ESPN

The latest rumors have suggested Barca have offered Griezmann to Premier League sides Manchester City and Tottenham but that the forward wants to stay in Spain and head back to Atletico.