Transfer News: Barcelona eye Griezmann-Neymar swap deal

Barcelona have rekindled their interest in Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar and hope to use Antoine Griezmann in a part-exchange deal, claims Sky Sports.

The Spanish giants have been heavily linked with a move to re-sign Neymar ever since the Brazil international left the club to join PSG three years ago.

Neymar was desperate to secure a move back to Barcelona last summer but talks between the two clubs collapsed.

Barcelona signed Antoine Griezmann from Atletico Madrid instead but the 2018 World Cup winner has been a huge disappointment.

There are have been constant reports of a rift between Griezmann and star man Lionel Messi, who is keen on Neymar returning.

The coronavirus pandemic has left Barcelona on the brink of financial crisis and their playing squad have agreed to a 70 per cent pay cut until football returns.

Barcelona are now looking at ways to fund their summer transfer dealings and have already decided to cash in on Griezmann after just 12 months at the club.

The Spanish giants value Griezmann at €100M (£88M) and hope to use the 29-year-old as a makeweight in talks to re-sign Neymar from PSG.

Even if Griezmann or PSG turn their nose up at Barcelona’s planned proposal, they are intent on selling the Frenchman to any willing buyer to bankroll Neymar’s return.

Griezmann has returned just eight goals in 25 league starts in his first season at Barcelona and weighed in with four assists in that time.

Neymar, meanwhile, has played a direct hand in 19 goals in 15 league starts in 2019/20 despite another injury-hit campaign.

source: whoscored.com