Barcelona ready to sell Griezmann as club look to boost transfer coffers after coronavirus decimates budget

BARCELONA are ready to sell French star Antoine Griezmann to raise funds as the club suffers amid the coronavirus pandemic, according to reports.

Despite signing 2018 World Cup winner Griezmann from rivals Atletico Madrid for £108million just last summer, the Catalan giants could be prepared to cut their losses in order to bring in some cash.

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Like all football clubs around the world, Barcelona are under financial pressure after the spread of Covid-19 brought action to a halt in La Liga.

Reports in Spanish outlet AS suggest the club are looking to save money as they come under strain during these unprecedented times.

Big money signing Griezmann could be put up for sale to raise capital after failing to impress Barcelona bosses since arriving from the Spanish capital in July.

Managing resources is key for the club and they may look to ship former Real Sociedad star Griezmann out on loan to get him off the wage bill.

It would be a similar move to the one made this season by ex Liverpool ace Philippe Coutinho – who moved to Bayern Munich from Barcelona until the end of the 2019/20 season.

However, it is believed that Nou Camp bosses would prefer, if possible, to recoup as much of the £108m they paid for Griezmann as they can.

But with the market in a state of uncertainty and potential changes to the dates of the transfer window as European leagues attempt to finish their domestic seasons, a loan may be a more realistic option.

Griezmann failed to hit the ground running in Catalonia as before he had even signed reports emerged that Barcelona players had tried to veto his arrival.

Things improved as he settled into his new surroundings and team-mates warmed to him after many initially thought the Frenchman’s skillset was not what the club required needed to improve.

Griezmann has netted eight goals in 26 La Liga appearances this season – although a fair return, it is not what the Barca hierarchy expect having forked out well over £100m for the star.

It now appears they will be happy to let him leave for £100m which should alert potential suitors such as Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Arsenal.

If Griezmann stays at Barcelona it is thought manager Quique Setien will be able to find a role for him, but that appears an increasingly unlikely scenario with recent speculation also linking him with a move to Inter Milan in a deal involving Lautaro Martinez.