Tuesday, August 31, 2021 at 4:34 PM• Chris Meijer

Barcelona and Atlético Madrid are currently negotiating an exchange deal, which should see Joao Felix and Antoine Griezmann switch clubs. ESPN reports, based on sources close to the negotiations, that it will be difficult to complete the exchange deal before closing the transfer window. Still, sources close to Griezmann would consider it ‘not impossible’ for Barcelona and Atlético Madrid to reach an agreement.

Félix’s name was first associated with Barcelona late Monday night. RAC1 reported that the Catalans had inquired with Atlético about the availability of 21-year-old Portuguese attacking midfielder on loan. The reigning champions of Spain would respond on Tuesday, but Fabrizio Romano came almost immediately with the message that there was no chance that Felix would leave Atlético on the final day of the transfer window.

However, rumors of a move from Félix to Barcelona are still circulating on Tuesday afternoon. The possible involvement of Griezmann is an exchange deal because it would offer an opening. It’s no secret that Barcelona are not unwilling to leave Griezmann because of his high salary. Atletico and in particular coach Diego Simeone would like to bring him back to the club where he previously played between 2014 and 2019 and was taken away by Barcelona for €120 million.

However, Atlético cannot pay for his arrival, which has led to speculation about a trade deal that should have had Saúl Ñíguez go the other way. Now Felix should be involved in Griezmann’s departure, although Atlético don’t seem too eager to say goodbye to the Portuguese. Simeone would not be sad about the departure of Félix, but chairman Enrique Cerezo would like to keep him. According to Cadena SER Atletico is therefore currently interested in Griezmann, but not in an exchange deal with Félix.

On the closing day of the transfer window, Edinson Cavani (Manchester United), Mauro Icardi (Paris Saint-Germain) and Cédric Bakambu (Beijing Sinobo) were also mentioned as possible new Barcelona strikers. It is no secret that coach Ronald Koeman would like to add another attacker to his selection. Romano already put a line through the name of Cavani on the wish list of Barcelona on Tuesday afternoon, as the Uruguayan striker will not leave Manchester United according to the transfer market expert.