Barcelona using Antoine Griezmann to bring four Man City players to Camp Nou

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Barcelona's French midfielder Antoine Griezmann celebrates his team's second goal during the Spanish Super Cup final football match between FC Barcelona and Athletic Club Bilbao at La Cartuja stadium in Seville on January 17, 2021.

Barcelona are reportedly trying to pursue a swap deal with Manchester City that would see Antoine Griezmann head to the Etihad - naming four players they would be interested in taking from them.

The Catalans desperately need to reduce their wage bill this summer and have identified Griezmann, who rakes in a staggering £300,000 per week, as one player they could cash in on.

He has only spent two years at the Nou Camp after completing a £100million switch from La Liga rivals Atletico Madrid, racking up 99 appearances and scoring 35 goals in that time.

And according to Radio Catalunya, Barca are now trying to use the Frenchman as bait in a potential swap deal with City.

It is believed they have named Riyad Mahrez, Raheem Sterling, Bernardo Silva and Aymeric Laporte as the four players they would like to include in the deal. IMG-20210723-200251-389

However, Pep Guardiola is not believed to be targeting a move for Griezmann this summer and is unlikely to swap one of the four players in question to sign him.

Sterling and Mahrez are key players for Guardiola, while Laporte is also a crucial member of his backline.

Silva has been linked with a move away from the club, but it is unlikely City would be open to exchanging him for Griezmann.

The latter could therefore head back to Atletico, who are understood to be eyeing up a second pursuit of their former attacker.

Diego Simeone is a huge admirer of Griezmann, telling Marca: "I have a very good relationship [with him], a very beautiful relationship beyond sport, my kids play with his kids.

"Above all, for what he gave Atletico, I want him to do well at Barcelona, he is an extraordinary player.

"I hope that he can consolidate the player he has been at the Euros, in the World Cup, in the five years with us.

"I don't wish for anything else but him triumphing at Barcelona.

"We speak with the club, there are positions to improve in the team - we need a striker. Another will come if Griezmann does not. The club will decide what is economically best for the club."

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