Pep Guardiola has phoned Antoine Griezmann to discuss a potential summer transfer for the Barcelona forward to join Manchester City, according to Foot Mercato.
Barcelona are having to look for ways to move Griezmann on in the current window as the La Liga giants search for ways out of their financial crisis. They hope the Frenchman will be their saviour in some regard, and that a wealthy club will pursue his signature.
But Barcelona will only sell Griezmann for a suitable offer, and he would prefer to stay at the Camp Nou. Yet Guardiola has been in touch with the 30-year-old to see if he would be interested in joining Manchester City.
Guardiola is understood to have personally called Griezmann to discuss becoming the new figurehead of the Manchester City attack. The pair have a strong mutual respect for one another, and could be united should Tottenham Hotspur price Harry Kane out of a move.
Kane is the Citizen’s top target, while Sky Sports claimed last month Guardiola’s side bid £100m for the England captain. But The Sun note Spurs Chairman Daniel Levy has no plans to sell, and told new boss Nuno Espirito Santo to shape his squad around the 27-year-old.
Manchester City could, therefore, look to seize on Barcelona’s troubles and sign Griezmann. Although they may yet face competition from Chelsea, as the Daily Star suggest the striker’s agent is due to speak with both the Citizens and Stamford Bridge side this week.
The report adds that Barcelona’s valuation is below the £107m they paid Atletico Madrid in 2019. But his wage could also be problematic, with Griezmann earning £594,000-per-week at the Camp Nou. City’s top-earner is Kevin de Bruyne on £385k-p/w, per Spotrac figures.
Manchester City to sign Guardiola target Griezmann, someone he’d ‘be crazy to have’?
Manchester City signing Griezmann from Barcelona would see Guardiola acquire a player any club would be crazy to have. That’s the opinion of Atletico Madrid President Enrique Cerezo, who confessed he’d love to have the Frenchman back one day.
Speaking in May, Cerezo told Cadena Ser: “Could he go back to Atletico? He is a magnificent player, hopefully, but I don’t think Barca wants to sell Griezmann. I think any team would be crazy to have Griezmann.”
But things have changed at the Camp Nou in the two months since and Griezmann seems set for the boot. It is a needs must decision for Barcelona to part with the forward, potentially to Manchester City and Guardiola’s benefit.
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