FC Barcelona News: 21 July 2019

Photo by Jose Breton/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Griezmann: I can’t wait for Messi to arrive back at Barcelona | Marca

Antoine Griezmann has been talking about playing with Lionel Messi and can’t wait for the GOAT to return from his holidays and join up with the team. He said: “Yes, it will be amazing [to play alongside him]. I’m excited to see what he’s like day to day, what he’s like in training, [I want to] catch him doing things in training that I will try to repeat or do in my own way and get to know him on and off the pitch. I can’t wait for him to arrive. I will be ready to do whatever it takes: for him, for the club and for the players.”

Alaba, offered to City and Barça to make Sané and Dembélé cheaper | Mundo Deportivo

David Alaba has been offered to Barcelona and Manchester City as a bargaining chip for Leroy Sane and Ousmane Dembele. Bayern’s official line is that the left-back is not for sale but Barca know he would be allowed to leave.

Barça arrive in Tokyo | FC Barcelona

Barcelona’s 26-man squad has safely arrived in Tokyo after a 13-hour flight from Catalunya. There are 17 first teamers and nine Barcelona B players in the squad for two games against Chelsea and Vissel Kobe.

Abidal denies Barcelona approached Griezmann before he announced Atlético exit | AS

Eric Abidal has insisted Barcelona did not approach Antoine Griezmann before he announced he would be leaving Atletico Madrid in the summer. He said: “Atletico are defending their interests and we are defending Barca’s. We never had a prior agreement with the player. We got in contact with his lawyer after Griezmann announced he wanted to leave the club.”

Tuchel puts pressure on PSG to resolve the Neymar transfer saga | Sport

PSG manager Thomas Tuchel wants the club to resolve the Neymar situation soon. The Brazilian was left out of the team to face Nurnberg on Saturday and Tuchel spoke about him after the game: “He’s currently part of our dressing room and he will train with us on Sunday. The situation between myself and Neymar is clear but this is a matter between him and the club.”

Sources: Neymar confident of tempting Barca offer | ESPN

Neymar remains confident Barcelona will come up with an offer that will tempt PSG. The player’s “entourage” reckon his former club will make PSG a “strong cash-plus-player offer” that the French champions would be willing to accept.

Valverde asked for Griezmann in 2017 | Mundo Deportivo

Ernesto Valverde originally asked Barcelona to sign Antoine Griezmann in 2017 before Neymar left, as he wanted to a “quality forward” to help out the famous MSN forward line. The Barca boss also knew that Griezmann’s €200m release clause could be negotiated.

Source: barcablaugranes.com