Barcelona rule out Griezmann-Saúl swap deal
According to Mundo Deportivo and ARA, talks have broken down and the conditions demanded by Barcelona have been rejected by Atlético.
The Griezmann-Saúl swap deal is off. Negotiations have broken down according to Ara and Mundo Deportivo and as far as Barcelona are concerned, there is no possibility of getting the operation back on track. The Catalan club had asked for other players plus cash for Griezmann. There was even talk of including João Félix in the operation. Demands which put an end to conversations with no chance they might resume.
Griezmann's high salary
According to both outlets, Barça are adamant that they are not prepared pay a cent more of Antoine Griezmann's wages, similar to what happened with Luis Suárez. Atlético, who cannot afford to meet the French forward's wages, are not willing to pay the difference. So talks eventually fizzled out altogether. That didn't stop Atleti president Enrique Cerezo from telling Deportes Cuatro that a deal wasn't completely off the table: "In the football world, everything is possible..." he explained.
But that doesn't guarantee that Saúl will stay or that Griezmann will remain at Barcelona. The Atleti midfielder has offers from the Premier League. Griezmann has to leave so that Barça can register Leo Messi for the new season. The blaugranas would save on his high wages and could receive a decent fee for Griezmann while guaranteeing that Messi will continue. Just when it seemed that Atlético would coming knocking again, the whole situation changed. Now Barcelona must hopes for new developments with other clubs .