Antoine Griezmann is due back in Barcelona from July 19 for talks over his Camp Nou future amid interest from Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, per La Vanguardia.
The Frenchman will join the La Liga giants from next week after being given time off following Euro 2020. Griezmann played all four of his nations’ ties at the tournament, but could not lead Didier Deschamps’ side beyond the Last 16.
The forward’s final act as a Barcelona player may also be finishing third in La Liga last season. He will soon speak with the Catalan giants, as they need to clear around €200m (£171m) from their wage bill.
Barcelona have not received any offers for Griezmann, who Foot Mercato claim Guardiola has phoned to discuss joining Manchester City. La Vanguardia believe he is most likely to have a market in England or the Serie A. But a return to Atletico Madrid cannot be ruled out.
The Spanish publication also understand the £594,000-per-week forward would be open to leaving the Camp Nou, but would rather stay. Griezmann will have to take a pay cut to stay, however, which will be discussed with Barcelona in his talks.
Should the 30-year-old forgo part of his wage, he will join the Barcelona squad in Germany later this month. The La Liga outfit will train in Stuttgart from July 28 to August 3. But if he refuses, the Camp Nou outfit will only seek around €50m (£43m) to sell him this summer.
That will offer Manchester City the chance to sign Griezmann for less than half the £107m Barcelona paid in 2019.
Barcelona price tag will see Manchester City face competition for Griezmann
Barcelona only setting a £43m asking price on Griezmann will likely see Manchester City face competition for a summer transfer. The 30-year-old would be a bargain at that price, and offer Guardiola his new attacking figurehead.
Manchester City are currently without a true leading centre-forward after opting against renewing Sergio Aguero’s contract that expired last month. Gabriel Jesus failed to score consistently in the Premier League last season, and ended the term with just nine goals.
Griezmann, meanwhile, scored 13 times and offered eight assists in 36 La Liga appearances while playing across the frontline. His mobility would be welcome in a free-flowing attack, itching to get over the final hurdle in the Champions League.
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