WHY GRIEZMANN MAY NOT BE WELCOMED AT BARCA
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As several reports indicate that, French world Cup winner and Athletico Madrid star man, Antoni iGriezmann is getting closer to penning a deal with the catalant giants, Barcelona, he may not be warmly welcomed by the majority of Barca fans or even the club’s board.
Make no mistake about it: Bartomeu is the sole driving force behind the deal, which has been greeted with bemusement by some fans, and outrage by others.
They, and several Barca directors, remain wary of Griezmann and this undeniably puzzling turn of events.
Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu was hit hardest by Griezmann’s U-turn; the World Cup winner was meant to be his stellar summer signing. Instead, he was left embarrassed, weakened, by the whole affair.
Bizarrely, though, Bartomeu has resurrected the transfer, with Griezmann set to belatedly arrive in Catalunya this week once the two clubs agree on the exact nature of the deal.
Griezmann, after all, had explained his decision by telling L’Equipe Magazine, “When you’re shown love at home, you don’t go elsewhere.
“Atletico did everything possible to make me feel good.”
And yet, according to Rojiblancos CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin, Griezmann had decided by March that he wanted to join Barca after all.
It will be, thus, fascinating to see how he is greeted not only by the supporters but also by the senior members of the squad, chief among them club captain Lionel Messi.
We know that the Argentine and the likes of Luis Suarez are desperate to see their good friend Neymar return to Barcelona this summer but their feelings on Griezmann’s imminent signing are not yet clear.
Remember, the 28-year-old admitted that an unwillingness to serve as “Messi’s lieutenant” had, perhaps “subconsciously”, been a factor in turning down Barca.
When Antoine Griezmann’s named was called out by the stadium announcer ahead of Atletico Madrid’s must-win Liga visit to Barcelona in April, the Camp Nou crowd responded with boos.
Once the action got under way, the forward’s every touch was whistled.
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