Barcelona are facing a huge summer overhaul as club chiefs scramble to raise cash to pay for the club’s big-money transfer deals.
Ajax midfielder Frenkie de Jong is already due to arrive, in a £75million transfer, and the Spanish champions are also seeking to add his Dutch teammate Matthijs de Ligt in a £70million deal - although there are continuing complications with that switch.
But Griezmann’s buyout needs to be deposited with LFP chiefs up front to free him from his deal at Atletico.
Now, 12 months on from opening up a £120million credit line with a New York-based lender, and with salary payments - the biggest in world football - to be paid to players at the end of June, they are in desperate need of funds to pay for everything.
As such, decisions have been made to part with 10 players this summer, in a bid to raise over £200million.
Chief among them is Philippe Coutinho, who has largely disappointed since his club record move from Liverpool 17 months ago.
The Brazilian, who earns £12million-per-year after tax, remains the club’s biggest saleable asset and they want at least £90million.
De Ligt’s arrival means France's World Cup-winning defender Samuel Umtiti will be allowed to leave.
The left-sided centre-back suffered an injury hit 2018-19 and couldn’t oust Clement Lenglet from the starting XI when back fit; with doubts over his knee injury still, Barca are ready to sell for £50million - despite him having no intention of leaving.
Juventus and Manchester United are among the clubs who have been keeping tabs on the situation of a player who, fully fit and on form, is one of the world’s best defenders.
Similar to Umititi, Ivan Rakitic insists he is staying put, but despite being a key man for Ernesto Valverde, the Croatian is likely to be sold.
The wrong side of 30, Inter Milan are keen to take him to Italy, with Barca keen on a fee in excess of £45million.
Others on the chopping block, according to Marca, include winger Malcom, Jasper Cillessen, Everton loanee Andre Gomes, Denis Suarez - who has struggled for fitness and minutes on loan at Arsenal - Rafinha and, perhaps surprisingly, the Portuguese right-back Nelson Semedo.
Interestingly, the club will spend €4million to bring back Eibar’s Marc Cucurella, to sell him on for €10million.
However, big-money players, on big wages, with clubs knowing that Barca are desperate for cash, will not be easy to sell.
It promises to be a long summer.
Moomin17
168
Money Can't Buy Real Barca! 1. Suarez Replacement Most needed 2. Bring Back Tiki Taka 3. Get Backup of Jordi Alba 4. Get Deligt at any cost 5. If Possible look New Manager I miss the days when 9 of out of 11 players used to be From Last Masia.
ZaynAhmed
103
SELL P.Coutinho =100m Umtiti =60m Cilessen =30m Gomes =30m Rakitic =40m Sign A.Griezmann =120m De Ligt=80m Van der Beek=50m Left back =30m
Rikabmsty
72
I still dont understand why we want the French man , hes a good player but nothing great, we need icardi ,or dybala, and in reality our problem isnt scoring our problem is our defensive ugly style of play valverde likes , identity out the window , chelsey dosent want sarri being him to Barca, with our players and his mentality we should be back on track . right now it's not even that exciting to watch Barca play , results are just numbers but winning playing beautifully is a whole different story .klopp has got the right heart and style and if he coached Barca and valverde liverpool the champions were gonna be Barca and I dont think that's even questionable. oh well let's see what happens.