You probably read that headline and thought, what does this have to do with Paris Saint-Germain. Well, allow me to explain.
On a recent episode of ESPN FC‘s Extra Time, former France international Frank Leboeuf was asked if he thought it was a mistake for FC Barcelona to sign Antoine Griezmann when they could have waited and resigned Neymar Jr. His answer was a rare instance in which the show actually dared to be critical of the Catalan club.
“I think it was a mistake for Griezmann to sign for Barcelona because the way he plays the side that he used to play is mostly where [Lionel] Messi is playing.”
“So, I guess it was a mistake for Barcelona especially because Neymar wants to come back from Paris Saint-Germain if that’s really the case. He fits very well with Messi and he seemed to really enjoy his game when he was at Barcelona which is maybe less the case in Paris Saint-Germain.”
“So I guess, yeah, for Barca it was a mistake. But, they made lots of money. I don’t know how much you’re going to spend to get him back. They spent lots of money for Griezmann. I don’t know how much they’ll get if he leaves. We’ll see at the end of the day if it was a good bargain or not. Footballistic talking, I think it was a mistake from Barca.”
Griezmann left Atlético Madrid for Barcelona last year and it’s true that he hasn’t exactly taken the Camp Nou by storm. In fact, there are already headlines about his potential departure.
While Griezmann officially signed with Barcelona on July 12, they were in fact negotiating with the Frenchman months before. That underhanded tactic ultimately cost them a chance of signing Neymar who tried to force a move back to Barcelona but the money just wasn’t there to satisfy PSG’s demand.
Before the coronavirus pandemic hit, it was thought that Barcelona could return for Neymar and finally bring him back to partner with Messi, but the financial situation at the La Liga club is even worse now that it was last year and Neymar could end up signing a contract extension to remain at Paris Saint-Germain past 2022.
Good things come to those who wait.
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