‘In the future, we’ll see’ – Barcelona boss coy on potential €100m target

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Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde has remained non-committal over whether or not the Catalan giants will swoop for Antoine Griezmann.

Speculation over the Frenchman’s future continues to build, especially as he struggles on the pitch as he hasn’t been as influential for Atletico Madrid as usual so far this season.

The 26-year-old has scored just three goals and provided three assists in 13 appearances, and as noted by Mundo Deportivo, Valverde was asked about a possible swoop for Griezmann next year during his press conference on Friday.

“He is a great player and every time players are linked with Barcelona, they are great players. But I’m happy with the ones I have and, in the future, we’ll see.”

Marca note that it could take €100m to prise Griezmann away from the capital club, as per the release clause in his contract, and so it remains to be seen if Barcelona are willing to splash out to prise him away from their rivals next year.

While Valverde is undoubtedly right in that he should be happy with the players currently at his disposal with the likes of Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi and Ousmane Dembele offering attacking options, there is an argument in favour of continuing to build for the future with someone like Griezmann leading the way.

Suarez and Messi still have plenty left to offer, but ultimately at 30 and over, along with the likes of Andres Iniesta, Gerard Pique and others, Valverde would be sensible to strategise with the club hierarchy now to ensure that they’re well placed moving forward in the longer-term picture.

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