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Chelsea are planning a loan move for Barcelona and French striker Antoine Griezmann.
Barcelona are open to let Griezmann go in order to release funds which could help go towards a new deal for Lionel Messi, who is out of contract at the Nou Camp.
Whilst they would prefer an outright sale, they know that will be difficult in the current market, and a loan move to a club that can cover his wages is a palatable alternative option.
Griezmann is reported to earn close to £300,000 a week.
The Champions League winners still want to sign Erling Haaland this summer, but with the chances of that happening becoming increasingly slim because of Borussia Dortmund’s intransigence over his transfer fee, they may turn to Griezmann instead as the forward upgrade they have been seeking.
The player himself is thought to prefer a return to former club Atlético Madrid, but their own financial position could rule that out.
Andy is an exiled English football fan living in Cyprus. He loves all sports but football is his abiding passion, and he still has dreams every now and then about scoring the winning goal in a Wembley Cup Final, even though his playing days are long gone. He follows most major leagues, across Europe at least, and has a favoured team in each. When he’s not watching, listening, reading or downloading podcasts about football, he spend his time worrying about his beloved Arsenal.