Barcelona and Atletico close to swap deal involving Liverpool target

 

Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are in advanced talks for a swap deal involving Antoine Griezmann and Saul Niguez, claims Spanish radio station Cadena Cope.

 

Barcelona are looking to offload Griezmann and his enormous contract in order to help reduce their spiralling wage bill.

 

The Spanish giants have already convinced Leo Messi to take a significant wage cut in order to extend his stay, reportedly by as much as half his previous salary.

 

Griezmann has been linked with a move to Chelsea this week but now appears set to return to Atletico after leaving to join Barcelona two years ago.

 

The France international didn't leave Atletico on the best of terms with their supporters but is keen to re-join Diego Simeone's side.

 

Atletico are also looking to offload Saul this summer and are willing to send the 26-year-old in the opposite direction.

 

Liverpool were heavily linked with a move for the Spain international but appear set to miss out on the Atletico midfielder.

 

 

Saul still has five years left to run on his current Atletico deal after remarking penning terms on a nine-year contract back in 2017.

 

He reportedly has a release clause of €150m in his current terms but his value has dropped substantially in the current economic climate.

 

Saul is the only player in Europe's top 5 leagues to collect at least 10 yellow cards in each of the last three seasons.