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With the 2018/2019 footballing season all but over in most of the major leagues, the attention of fans around the world would turn to the transfer window.
An ever-increasing influx of money into the game of football means that another summer of heavy spending is to be expected, with clubs seeking to augment their squads ahead of next season.
One major club which is anticipated to be busy this summer is Barcelona, as the Catalan club attempts to build on from the disappointment of the recently concluded season.
The Blaugrana have been linked with a host of names in the transfer tabloids, but perhaps none more so than that of Antoine Griezmann.
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Barcelona had seen a concrete offer for the French international turned down last summer, with the 28-year-old instead signing a new contract at the Wanda Metropolitano. However, his announcement that this would be his last season with Diego Simeone’s men once more puts him in the market, and the Nou Camp has been identified as his most likely destination.
Given his status as a bonafide world-class player and the obscene amounts bandied about in today’s market, it can be expected that Griezmann would not come cheap, with the former Real Sociedad man valued at a price of €150m and having a release clause worth a reported €125m.
Barcelona as a club made a name for themselves in the past as a hub for the development of players, with their famed La Masia academy acting as a supply line for the first team, with the core of the squad which brought about its golden age being academy graduates.
However, in recent seasons, the club seems to have departed from this modus operandi, falling to the temptations of the modern game and spending huge sums of money to bring players to the club at the expense of homegrown talent.
This has not always worked out for them, as though some big money signings like Neymar and Luis Suarez went on to achieve greatness at the club, more often than not, most of these marquee arrivals have not lived up to expectations, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Philippe Coutinho, and Ousmane Dembele being prime examples of this.
There is every possibility of Griezmann falling into the latter category if Barcelona activates his release clause and as such, the club must consider cheaper alternatives. In this piece, we shall be having a rundown of four cheaper and younger alternatives Barcelona should consider to Antoine Griezmann.
#4 Richarlison
Richarlison de Andrade arrived in the Premier League as a relative unknown in the summer of 2017 when he signed for Watford from Fluminense for a sum of £11.2m. He impressed significantly enough in his sole season at Vicarage Road to convince the Everton board to sanction his signing for a club record fee of £50m, reuniting him with his former Watford manager Marco Silva.
The 21-year-old scored a brace on his Everton debut and that was a sign of things to come, as he absolutely blew everyone away with his displays in his first season at Goodison Park.
His form did not go unnoticed, as he was called up to the Brazilian squad in August 2018, scoring his first pair of international goals in just his second match for the Samba Boys.
In total, he ended his first season at Everton with 13 goals from 35 Premier League matches, and earned praise for his technique and direct style of play and was deservedly included in Tite’s 23-man squad for the 2019 Copa America to be staged on home soil.
Richarlison is currently valued at €45m and at 21, potentially, still has his best years in front of him.
#3 Nicolas Pepe
Nicolas Pepe has emerged as one of the most sought after forwards in Europe, owing to his impressive displays for Lille in the just-concluded season.
The 23-year-old scored 23 goals and assisted 11 times from 38 league matches to help inspire the Les Dogues to a second-placed finish in Ligue 1.
Expectedly, this form has not gone unnoticed and the Ivorian international has found himself the subject of interest from some of Europe’s biggest sides, with Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool all said to be interested in his services.
Nicolas Pepe was named in the Ligue 1 2018-2019 team of the season and provides width and penetration similar to what Ousmane Dembele offers Barcelona (although his superior fitness puts him in better stead).
His current value of €40m looks like a steal, although Barcelona might have to spend some more as Manchester United are reportedly willing to pay €69m for his services.
#2 David Neres
David Neres had his breakout campaign in the recently concluded season, forming a core part of the youthful Ajax side which captured the imagination of fans the world over with their fairytale run to the semifinals of the Champions League.
The 22-year-old contributed eight goals and providing a further eight assists from 27 league matches to help Ajax to the Eredivisie title, while also scoring three goals en route their run to the last four of the Champions League, with the three coming in vital matches against heavyweights Real Madrid and Juventus.
His form saw him named into Brazil’s squad for the Copa America at the expense of Real Madrid youngster Vinicius Jr and with Liverpool said to be interested in his services, Barcelona could face stiff competition for his signature.
Neres is currently valued at €32m, but it is yet to be seen if the club would let him leave for such a modest fee.
#1 Make do with what they have
The current Barcelona team is one of the best in the world, possessing numerous world beaters in various positions.
While it is understandable that the club wants to restock the attacking department owing to their underperformance this season particularly on the continent, expending such exorbitant amounts on Griezmann does not really add up as good business, especially considering the options available to the club.
With Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, at least 70 goals are all but guaranteed every season and while the departure of Neymar might have taken out one-third of the famed ‘MSN’ trident, Barcelona cannot be accused of not trying to replace him.
A few days after the Brazilian’s departure, they announced the arrival of French international Ousmane Dembele for a club record fee of €105m.
The World Cup winner has dazzled on occasion amidst criticism of his lifestyle choices and professionalism, but despite his fitness issues, Dembele still remains a potent attacking threat and the hope should be for the former Dortmund man to stay fit for long enough to get the best out of him.
There is also a Philippe Coutinho, who despite not being an out-and-out forward still poses a considerable goal threat if he can fully settle into the team.
Another more than able backup comes in the form of Malcom who had impressed significantly at Bordeaux in Ligue 1 to attract interest from a host of major European clubs.
Ever since his acrimonious arrival at Barcelona, the 22-year-old has not fully shown his abilities, as Ernesto Valverde has displayed a distinct lack of trust in him. However, on the few occasions where he has played, he has impressed and connected well with his teammates on the field.
Together, these three players cost Barcelona in excess of €300m and quite why they would want to spend a huge amount of money on another forward does not make sense either from a sporting or business perspective.
