LIONEL MESSI has openly admitted Antoine Griezmann is the type of player Barcelona need to sign this summer.
Atletico Madrid are desperate to keep hold of their star player after winning the Europa League last season.
But speculation La Liga champions Barcelona are preparing to make a huge offer to sign Griezmann continues to grow – and now Messi has added more fuel to the fire.
The Barca talisman, 30, spoke in glowing terms about how easy it would be to link up with the French international if he were to arrive at the Nou Camp.
In an interview with Mundo Deportivo, Messi said: “I always say, with good players it is easy to understand them to play with – and Griezmann is one of the greats who is in an exceptional period of his career.
“It’s up to the manager to see how everything would fit, but obviously he is a player would would all be able to play with.”
Barca seem intent on chasing the signature of the 27-year-old, even though they are already blessed with a fearsome group of attacking quality.
Coach Ernesto Valverde not only has Messi it his disposal, but also Luis Suarez, Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele.
AB-SOLUTELY FABULOUS Abidal back at Barca as cancer survivor returns as technical secretary
Argentina star Messi says finding a way to squeeze Griezmann into the side is a problem for Valverde, but claims Barca should be signing someone of his quality if they want to dominate.
He added: “That will all be down to the manager if he arrives, and it is not yet 100 per cent, but the more quality we have the better.
Most read in football
“We want to be the best team in the world and for that we want to have the best. After that, then that’s the manager’s problem.”
Griezmann has attempted to play down talk of leaving Atletico as he attempts to focus on the World Cup this month.
But it looks impossible for him to avoid being dragged into speculation while the tournament takes place as France go into Russia 2018 as one of the favourites to win the trophy.
Dream Team World Cup - Sign up to win £100k
- Enter for FREE
- £50m budgetand 20 transfers throughout the tournament
- Play to win £100k top price and a share of £175k prizepot
Leave a comment