Lionel Messi pushes Barcelona into completing a logical swap deal
Barcelona captain Lionel Messi is pressing the board into completing a swap deal that would be a win-win situation for the La Liga leaders.
Lionel Messi’s contract with Barcelona expires in the summer of 2021, but it’s almost inevitable that the forward will sign an extension to his current deal. The Argentina international has nevertheless been dejected by the club’s poor transfers in the recent years and has been pressurizing his seniors to make changes before it’s too late.
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Barca’s reliance on him and Luis Suarez for the goal-scoring is no secret and with the Uruguayan injured as well as their captain gradually slowing down, the Catalans’ downfall has been visible. It’s high time that Barcelona bring in a successor to Messi as well as replace Suarez in due time.
Over the last few months, the Blaugrana have targeted Lautaro Martinez and Neymar but their financial situation would realistically see them bring in only one of the South American duo. Neymar would be the ideal successor to Lionel Messi and a better option in terms of fan pleasing and marketing, so he will be pursued by the board, Diario GOL reports.
Paris Saint-Germain value their world-record signing at 200 million euros, a figure that may be beyond the Camp Nou outfit even if they manage to get rid of Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele. Having said that, the first-team captain has suggested that the Barcelona board sacrifices Antoine Griezmann in a potential swap deal.
Antoine Griezmann has been one of the better Barca players, but certainly doesn’t get along with Messi on the pitch and playing in an impeded role of a left winger has seen the Frenchman underperform. Nevertheless, his value is thought to be around 100 million euros and that may help in lowering the cash-cost of the deal.
For Paris Saint-Germain, Neymar may be a massive loss as Antoine Griezmann is not on his calibre because they are looking increasingly likely to lose Kylian Mbappe sooner or later as well. Griezmann’s departure from the Camp Nou just a year after his arrival looks like a move on the cards, but PSG will look at better options if Neymar is indeed to leave.
Next. Barcelona's pursuit of Martinez plummets on a downward roll. dark
Do you think Antoine Griezmann’s departure will leave Barcelona unaffected?