Barcelona’s squad doesn’t want Antoine Griezmann to join - report

This could make all the difference

The FC Barcelona squad does not want Antoine Griezmann to become a part of the team next season, according to Cadena SER. What’s more, the report says, club officials know this. This could make the difference as Barça tries to figure out what to do this summer as Griezmann continues to be a rumored option for the Catalans.

The Frenchman was linked with a move from Atlético Madrid to the Camp Nou last summer, as well. At the time, it was reported that Barcelona and Griezmann had a verbal agreement that he would join. They even told Philippe Coutinho to pick the #14 shirt and keep #7 “open” for Griezmann to select when he arrived.

What happened next was a source of bewilderment and embarrassment for Barcelona, as Griezmann first gave hints he might change his mind, then announced he would declare who he would play for next season via a TV special. In the end, Griezmann reneged on the verbal agreement and stayed with Atléti one more season.

Reports say he now regrets the decision as the colochoneros look set to miss out on any of the big three competitions.

Meanwhile, former Barcelona player and manager Carles Rexach has publicly stated he would never sign Griezmann. “He is a Barça-style player,” Rexach admitted, but said he would not want to bring him in because of his TV special and because he occupies the same spaces Lionel Messi does.