Transfer News: Manchester City make opening offer for Antoine Griezmann

Manchester City have reportedly submitted their first offer to secure the services of 30-year-old French forward from Barcelona this summer.

According to a report by Spanish outlet Fichajes, Manchester City have made their first move to sign Antoine Griezmann in the summer transfer window. The Premier League champions have offered a part-exchange deal, which will see Aymeric Laporte join Barcelona, who will also receive an additional €20 million for the 30-year-old French forward.

Antoine Griezmann joined Barcelona from Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2019, one year after he had infamously rejected the Blaugrana via a bizarre documentary. The French forward hasn’t proven to be the most successful of the Catalan giants’ ill-fated €100 million-plus transfers, as he has not been able to perform at his topmost levels.

Having said that, 2020/21 appeared to be a step in the right direction, with Griezmann stepping up at the turn of the year before ending the campaign with a tally of 20 goals and 13 assists in 51 appearances across all competitions. However, he has still not convinced the Barcelona board enough amid a financial crisis, with Manchester City closely following the developments.

The reigning Premier League champions wish to bolster their attack this summer following the departure of Sergio Aguero, who has joined Barcelona on a Bosman deal. To that end, Manchester City have been linked with Harry Kane, although a move for their priority target is complicated, to say the least.

Embed from Getty Images

With Tottenham adamant on their eye-watering price tag while also being reluctant to part ways with the England captain at all, Manchester City need to keep their options open. As a result, they have recently turned their attention towards Barcelona, with Griezmann emerging as a viable target for the Citizens.

Manchester City have now made their opening offer for Griezmann, which is a part-exchange deal that will see Aymeric Laporte join Barcelona, with an additional €20 million being paid as well. Laporte is indeed one of the key targets for Barcelona this summer, as they wish to bolster their defence.

However, his valuation has been deemed to be excessive for a cash-strapped Barcelona, who are crumbling under a mountain of debt as well as unrealistic wages that some of their players are on. One such player is Griezmann, who is now the highest wage earner at Camp Nou following the expiration of Lionel Messi’s contract.

So, it is hardly surprising that Barcelona are open to the prospect of cashing in on the 30-year-old French forward, whose recent allegations of racism are also not a good look on the club. All in all, offloading Griezmann as part of a deal that sees them pocket €20 million in addition to Laporte could be a fantastic scenario for Barcelona, who can mitigate his exit by the arrival of Memphis Depay and Sergio Aguero.