If Barcelona want to sign Griezmann, they will have to sell three players
Only way to make the economics work
Posted Saturday, March 10, 2018 by Marca.com
Despite still having every trophy to play for this season, Barcelona have not been shy in trying to improve the squad for next season.
In the winter window, they took two important steps with the signings of Phillipe Coutinho and Yerry Mina, and the plan going into next season is to strengthen the team with two new players.
Negotiations with Arthur are virtually all done, and the Brazilian, who will cost 30 million euros, will arrive in January 2019.
The other major goal is Antoine Griezmann.
Barcelona already thought about signing him last summer, but it was nearly impossible because of Atletico Madrid's price of 200 million euros.
Now things have changed, as the players new contract has cut his buyout clause in half to 100m.
However, the club can only afford the Frenchman by selling other players.
The other option is to use a loan, but club hierarchy aren't interested due to the already massive costs they face in the construction of the new stadium.
Since the market opened last July, Barcelona have spent a whopping 436m euros on transfers.
More than half was used in the transfers of Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele, meanwhile, sales have only contributed 236m to the coffers of the club.
This amount is added to the 120m the club provides in cash each year for signings, yet that leaves 80 m to balance the books.
At this time, it's unknown who will be free to go.
One name that is easy to guess is Rafinha, who left for Internazionale, and who has a purchase option fixed at 35m euros.
After that, anything can happen.
Griezmann's arrival does not leave much room at the front, so it's likely that Paco Alcacer would have to assess his options.
Denis Suarez, Arda Turan, Andre Gomes and Aleix Vidal are likely to depart as well.
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