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Barcelona : Is Lemar Griezmann’s new partner or replacement?

By Chiranjib Ghosh

Thomas Lemar of Monaco during the UEFA Champions League Semi-Final game 2 match between Juventus and Monaco at the Juventus Stadium, Turin, Italy on 9 May 2017. (Photo by Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Thomas Lemar of Monaco during the UEFA Champions League Semi-Final game 2 match between Juventus and Monaco at the Juventus Stadium, Turin, Italy on 9 May 2017. (Photo by Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images) /
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Atlético have confirmed the signing of Griezmann’s compatriot Thomas Lemar

PARIS, FRANCE – APRIL 15: Thomas Lemar of AS Monaco reacts during the Ligue 1 match between Paris Saint Germain and AS Monaco at Parc des Princes on April 15, 2018 in Paris, France. (Photo by Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE – APRIL 15: Thomas Lemar of AS Monaco reacts during the Ligue 1 match between Paris Saint Germain and AS Monaco at Parc des Princes on April 15, 2018 in Paris, France. (Photo by Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images) /

Atlético have confirmed that they will sign winger Thomas Lemar from Monaco for a fee of €65 million. Now, the question is, is this going to satisfy or disgruntle Antoine Griezmann, who is being linked with a move to Barcelona.

Antoine Griezmann occupies the left forward spot in Diego Simeone’s first-team, partnering with centre forward Diego Costa and right midfielder Saúl. Saúl is backed up by Vitolo while Griezmann does not have a backup since Carrasco and Gaitán left for China in January.

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If Antoine Griezmann stays at Atlético, he will face competition from Thomas Lemar for a spot in the first-team. Of course, Lemar cannot replace Saúl, although he can play on the right. And Diego Costa’s form up top has been too good for Griezmann to move into a centre forward role.

So, there is no question of Antoine Griezmann partnering up with his national teammate Thomas Lemar. And hence, Atlético signing the 23-year old winger could not have made Griezmann happy. It is more likely that Lemar replaces Griezmann than partners him in attack.

Although the signs in his latest press conference point to his stay at the Wanda Metropolitano, Antoine Griezmann will not be happy with Lemar’s signing and even though Atlético want to keep him, they still fear that he is going to leave, and have made a panic signing.

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Even if Griezmann decided to stay at Atlético, this transfer may trigger a change in his mind, and allow Barcelona to swoop in and seal the deal.