Barça has a major problem with Griezmann

Antoine Griezmann is now a major problem for Barcelona. The French forward's salary - 40 million euros a year (gross) - is simply too high for Barça to assume in light of its current financial woes. Just as it is negotiating a wage cut with senior dressing room figures (Piqué, Busquets, Alba and Sergi Roberto) and trying to find suitors for the likes of Coutinho, Pjanic and Umtiti, Barça is working night and day to find a solution to the Griezmann problem. This is more of an economic matter than a sporting one, although there are also questions about his position in the squad. Since joining Camp Nou, Griezmann has not lived up to his price tag (Barça paid the 120 million release clause to sign him from Atlético, plus 15 million euros to avoid being officially reported to the league). If he were to agree to a gigantic pay cut, he could be a useful option to Koeman. However, given the club's financial situation, it is desperate to get players off its wage bill as soon as possible. It is even prioritising its financial health over its sporting success. This is particularly necessary if it wants to re-sign Leo Messi, who has agreed to take a 50% pay cut to continue his stay at Camp Nou. Unfortunately, no-one seems willing to follow the Argentina captain's example, and Griezmann's stance is making it far from easy for the club.

Griezmann is digging his heels in: either he goes to Atlético or he stays at Camp Nou. Barça has already held negotiations with Los Colchoneros regarding a transfer, but it wasn't willing (neither is it willing) to give the player away for less than his true value. Neither is it willing to pay any of his wage. There may be further negotiations in the coming days, since options from the Premier League (Tottenham) and Serie A (Juventus) don't look like going anywhere. Primarily because no-one is willing to pay Griezmann's astronomical salary. This is a major problem that needs to be solved.