Antoine Griezmann set for stunning transfer return to Atletico Madrid – and cash-strapped Barcelona line up Luuk De Jong
ANTOINE GRIEZMANN will complete a sensational return to Atletico Madrid - with Barcelona set to lose a staggering £70MILLION on the deal.
The French star will reportedly return to the Spanish capital just two years after Barca paid £108m for him.
The two clubs are in 'advanced talks' over Griezmann, according to Fabrizio Romano, with an initial loan followed by a £36m option to buy.
Earlier reports suggested Atletico talent Joao Felix, 21, would head to Barcelona in a swap deal for Griezmann - but it's now believed those rumours are false.
Cash-strapped Catalan giants Barcelona will turn to former Newcastle United flop Luuk de Jong to replace him.
The Dutch forward, now at Sevilla, has scored just 19 goals in 94 games since arriving in 2019.
If the transfers are finalised, Barca will have TWO North East flops playing for them in De Jong and ex-Middlesbrough ace Martin Braithwaite, 30.
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De Jong failed to score in any of his 12 Premier League appearances for Newcastle during a six-month loan spell in 2014.
Barca's attacking prospects are looking increasingly bleak after losing club legend Lionel Messi to Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer.
De Jong would be a risky signing as he's struggled outside of Holland, where he enjoyed a golden period with PSV.
He also flopped during a tricky spell at Borussia Monchengladbach between 2012 and 2014, managing only six goals in 36 Bundesliga outings.
A Barca exit for Griezmann would end a disastrous two-year stint at the Nou Camp, failing to deliver after a blockbuster move from Atletico.
The World Cup winner has scored just 22 goals in 74 LaLiga appearances for the club, which works out at just under £5m per goal, and never gelled with now-departed Lionel Messi.
The good news for Barca is Sergio Aguero is now eligible to play after Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets both agreed to take a pay cut.
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