Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu may once again show his lack of eye for football as he plots a pathetic swap deal.
Barcelona are increasingly likely to sign Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez in the upcoming summer’s transfer window. The Serie A giants are playing as much hardball as they can for the time being, but all signs are pointing towards the move being signed and sealed within a couple of months as the player seems to be interested in shifting clubs.
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Lautaro Martinez has a release clause worth 111 million euros and his parent club is not willing to negotiate on their asking price. The Catalans have tried other ways of convincing by offering the likes of Arthur Melo, Nelson Semedo and Arturo Vidal in a swap deal but to no avail and they are now going to try a last-ditch option of a swap deal.
Don Balon has reported that the Blaugrana are ready to offer last year’s lucrative signing Antoine Griezmann to the Italian outfit in exchange of Lautaro Martinez. It is believed that Inter Milan would finally be convinced into getting rid of their goal-scoring ace because of the fact that they are getting a like-for-like replacement.
Antoine Griezmann is not a beloved figure at the Camp Nou given his antiques a few months ago wherein he decided to snub the club for staying at Atletico Madrid in a dramatic documentary. With that being said, the striker has also had no good staying at Barca where he plays an impeded role and is practically bullied by Lionel Messi, who doesn’t want to establish a chemistry.
While things may look merry from the face of this deal, it’s not the best option for Barcelona to pursue and they will do nothing but show their short-term vision once again if this deal were to go through. The chances of Neymar’s arrival to the Camp Nou are as bleak as they have ever been going into the summer, so Griezmann would be vital for them.
Quique Setien’s side lacks a left winger already, plus with Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele both being tipped to depart during the summer it’s better if the La Liga leaders keep hold of Griezmann who does a decent job on the left flank rather than settling for somebody mediocre who may not even do as well as the Frenchman.
Certainly from Barca’s perspective it is imperative to bring in a replacement for Luis Suarez, but Lautaro Martinez’s role may be limited to being rotational in his first season as the Uruguay international can play well on the back of some rest even now. Moreover, neither of the two South Americans can play on the left wing and that’s where Griezmann will be useful.
Do you think a switch between Antoine Griezmann and Lautaro Martinez would be the ideal deal?