Joan Laporta can't confirm Griezmann will be at Barca next season

Antoine Griezmann was not at Memphis Depay’s presentation but his name was mentioned a few times. The Barca president Joan Laporta could not assure he would be at the club next season.

“Griezmann is a Barca player but I can’t deny there has been movement in the last few weeks. We count on him but there has been interest in the player because he’s world-class.”

The president did not want to go further and let Mateu Alemany, the sporting director, speak.

“We’re in a special market where there’s not much money available and a lot of imagination with trading players. We value Antoine highly. He’s a top player. It won’t be easy for there to be an offer that interests us sufficiently for hm to league. There are situations that we haven’t thought about and we’ll see what happens.”

Laporta was asked about the Saul Niguez trade which seems to have stalled and he says the market’s only just picking up.

“The market is starting. Nobody is moving because of Covid and a reduction of income. Griezmann has a market and there are interested clubs. We’re constructing our squad, looking for financial balance. With Antoine we have no problems. We love him as a professional. We’re open to all offers that present themselves because we’re in a delicate moment. We have to balance. We’re open to looking at options but none of them will stop us making a competitive team.”