Barcelona president reveals meeting with Antoine Griezmann's agent

Griezmann has been heavily linked with a move to the Nou Camp this summer

Monday 07 May 2018 11:15 EDT
Comments
Griezmann has long been linked with a move to Barcelona
Griezmann has long been linked with a move to Barcelona (AFP)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has revealed he met with Antoine Griezmann's agent earlier in the season - but is giving little else away on the club's reported interest in the Atletico Madrid striker.

Griezmann has been heavily linked with a move to the Nou Camp, with speculation in Spain that a £88million switch will be completed this summer.

Bartomeu was quizzed on the France international during a wide-ranging interview on Spanish radio and, while he preferred to keep his cards close to his chest, the Barca chief did confirm he had contact with Griezmann's representative in October.

"We don't talk of players from other teams. We're analysing the season and what we'll do with the signings and departures," he said. "I saw Griezmann one day on holiday. I haven't spoken with him this year. We have a relationship with his representative, like we have with other representatives.

"It was last October, it was a meeting, but nothing more. There's no need to create further speculation."

Bartomeu also said he has spoken to Atletico president Enrique Cerezo and chief executive Miguel Angel Gil Marin about "many things", without going into specifics.

"We've talked with Cerezo and Gil Marin about many things. The relationship between the clubs is good. But it's not the moment to talk about these matters. You cannot talk about players who play at other clubs."

Griezmann has long been linked with a move to the Nou Camp
Griezmann has long been linked with a move to the Nou Camp (Getty)

Griezmann's international team-mate Ousmane Dembele has also been the subject of transfer speculation.

The 20-year-old has made only a limited impact at Barca following his big-money transfer from Borussia Dortmund last summer and he has been linked in the English press with a move to Liverpool.

Asked if Dembele might be sent out on loan, Bartomeu said: "That matter is not on the table. We're finishing the season and then we'll have meetings.

"Dembele is one for the future. He's very young and from inside the club we expect a lot from him."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in