Express
Antoine Griezmann could be in line for a sensational return to his former club, Atletico Madrid. The prospective deal would see midfielder Saul Niguez move the other way in an arrangement which would seem to benefit all parties.
Griezmann left Atletico in 2019 in a lucrative transfer to Barcelona after five fantastic years in the Spanish capital.
The Frenchman hit at least 15 league goals in every season at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium, more than he has managed in either of his campaigns at the Camp Nou.
Italian journalist Matteo Moretto added fuel to the rumours when he took to Twitter on Monday afternoon, saying: “Barcelona and Atletico de Madrid keep talking about the Griezmann-Saúl swap.
“It is a very difficult operation due to several issues but there are contacts. Sure Antoine would give the go-ahead.”
Griezmann had previously been the subject of links to both Chelsea and Manchester United as Barca attempt to slim down their extortionate wage bill.
At 30-years-old, the attacker is on a serious salary and has been earmarked as one of the players Ronald Koeman is prepared to let go ahead of the new season.
If Griezmann sealed his return to Atletico, he would join a talented gang of front-men including Luis Suarez and Joao Felix.
All told, it may not be plain sailing for the Barca man to slot straight back in at his old side, facing a battle with the likes of Felix who the club splashed out on to replace Griezmann in 2019.
The move would make plenty of sense for the Catalan side who are still in the hunt for a midfielder after missing out on Gini Wijnaldum earlier in the summer.
With Miralem Pjanic also reportedly on the chopping block due to his high wages, midfield reinforcements are a must for Koeman in the coming weeks.
Since coming through the youth ranks at Atletico, Saul has established himself as a top-bracket all-action midfielder.
The 19-cap Spaniard is still only 26-years-old, meaning Barca could be getting their hands on a first-team quality player entering the prime years of his career.
With attackers aplenty at the Camp Nou, letting one go to bring in a midfielder makes perfect sense for Koeman and his side who have been forced to negotiate in unorthodox circumstances this summer.
With money incredibly tight, swap deals and free transfers are seen as preferable in order to meet Financial Fair Play regulations.
The blockbuster swap deal seems firmly on the cards between Saul and Griezmann, and it could evolve to be one of the sagas of the summer.
