Barcelona FC coach Ronald Koeman admitted that Antoine Griezmann’s departure from Atletico Madrid at the last minute was a difficult decision.
On the last day of the summer transfer window in 2021, Barcelona rented Griezmann to his former club, and the contract included a mandatory option to buy the striker permanently. As the club is busy cutting wages, Barcelona’s performance in the summer market is chaotic. After Lionel Messi withdrew, Griezmann became the highest-paid Catalan.
Barcelona has loaned Luke De Jong of Sevilla as a replacement for Griezmann, and his permanent sale is expected to bring about 47 million US dollars in revenue for the Nou Camp next summer. For Barcelona, this is still a major loss, as the La Liga giants signed Griezmann for approximately $142 million in 2019.
“Our situation deteriorated on the last day and there was almost no time to find a solution. This is a bastard. Griezmann has a great contract and if he leaves, it will help improve the club’s financial situation. That’s why I agree with his departure,” Koman told the Spanish publication sports In a recent interview.
This is earlier Report Even before Griezmann left, Koeman wanted a stable number 9 and hoped that Barcelona would chase De Jong, but sports directors Mateu Alemani and Ramon Plans did not believe it.
“I have and [De Jong] In early August about the possibility of signing him. I want a striker who is different. I think of him because I know him very well. In fact, I want to know how Barcelona could never have a striker like Luke. He will give us something different, especially his aerial games and set-pieces. With him, we can play a more direct style. I am very satisfied with his signing,” Koeman added.
Photo: Getty Images/David Ramos
Koman also stated that he is willing to renew the contract Barcelona.
“Yes, of course, I am open. I am very happy to continue to be Barcelona’s coach for many years. Although the club encountered a difficult moment today, I think that thanks to our decision, coaches and technical staff, Barcelona has young players. [Pedri, Ansu Fati, etc] There is a huge near future and I hope that I can continue to be his coach in three, four or five years,” the Dutch manager further said.
