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Barcelona president confirms contact with Antoine Griezmann

By Chiranjib Ghosh

Barcelona's football club president Josep Maria Bartomeu looks-on during a press conference on May 29, 2017 at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona to announce that Spanish coach Ernesto Valverde Ernesto Valverde will be the new coach of team. / AFP PHOTO / LLUIS GENE (Photo credit should read LLUIS GENE/AFP/Getty Images)
Barcelona's football club president Josep Maria Bartomeu looks-on during a press conference on May 29, 2017 at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona to announce that Spanish coach Ernesto Valverde Ernesto Valverde will be the new coach of team. / AFP PHOTO / LLUIS GENE (Photo credit should read LLUIS GENE/AFP/Getty Images) /
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Josep Maria Bartomeu has admitted to contact with Antoine Griezmann

MADRID, SPAIN – MAY 03: Antoine Griezmann of Atletico Madrid celebrates their victory at the end of the UEFA Europa League semi final return match between Atletico Madrid and Arsenal at Wanda Metropolitano Stadium on May 03, 2018 in Madrid, Spain.(Photo by Burak Akbulut/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN – MAY 03: Antoine Griezmann of Atletico Madrid celebrates their victory at the end of the UEFA Europa League semi final return match between Atletico Madrid and Arsenal at Wanda Metropolitano Stadium on May 03, 2018 in Madrid, Spain.(Photo by Burak Akbulut/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) /

It seems like Barcelona are not so behind in the chase for Antoine Griezmann after all. The club has maintained contact with the Frenchman since last year. The president, Josep Maria Bartomeu, has confirmed this fact.

Bartomeu held a meeting with Griezmann in the summer transfer window over a potential move in the future. On the other hand, the club’s representatives have had discussions with Griezmann’s agent and sister, Maud Griezmann, since October.

On realising this, Atlético had lodged a complaint with FIFA last year but no action was taken against Barça and the claim was not taken seriously. The club, too, denied the claims. But the truth has shown itself.

But Bartomeu has claimed that the relationship between Atlético and Barça is still cordial. According to him, the club has had discussions with Atlético president Enrique Cerezo, and CEO Gil Marín.

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"In an interview with RAC1, he said, “I saw Griezmann last summer. We  met with him like we meed with other players, but we didn’t have lunch together.We have a relationship with his agent like we do with other agents. It was last October, we had a meeting, but nothing more. You don’t have to start speculation.We spoke to (Atletico president) Cerezo and (chief executive) Gil Marin about many things. We have a good relationship between the two clubs. But now is not the time to talk about that. We shouldn’t talk about players who are at other clubs.”"

This is a huge development when it comes to Barça’s summer in the transfer market. The club’s plan is to sign a centre-back and a forward. But with the emergence of Manchester United as a potential destination, Barcelona were thought to be left behind in the race for his signature.

But now, the signing seems be a question of when, and not if. And now, the management can focus on procuring a new centre-back for the squad, who can potentially succeed Gerard Piqué as the defensive lynchpin in the side.

Next: Barcelona draw 2-2 with Real Madrid to stay unbeaten

Since the president of the club has confirmed talks, the Antoine Griezmann transfer should be considered a done deal.

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