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Friday's Barcelona transfer talk news roundup: Lionel Messi, Alvaro Fernandez, Antoine Griezmann

Here, Sports Mole rounds up the latest transfer talk for Barcelona on Friday, August 28.

The summer transfer window has now begun, with rumours and speculation continuing to swirl as Barcelona eye possible reinforcements.

The Spanish champions spent big on Antoine Griezmann last summer but missed out on a big-name striker in January and have been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, meaning that selling players rather than buying could be their priority this summer.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up the latest transfer news from the Camp Nou.

Friday morning's Barcelona transfer talk news roundup:


Ronald Koeman 'to rebuild Barcelona around Antoine Griezmann'

Antoine Griezmann in action for Barcelona on July 8, 2020© Reuters

New Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman is reportedly planning to build his team around Antoine Griezmann.

The Dutch boss, who replaced Quique Setien in charge at Camp Nou earlier this month, has suffered a turbulent start to his reign, most notably with captain and talisman Lionel Messi handing in a transfer request on Tuesday.

Koeman had initially planned to make Messi the central figure of his new-look Barcelona, having already decided to offload a number of other ageing high-profile players such as Luis Suarez, Ivan Rakitic and Arturo Vidal.

However, L'Equipe reports that the former Everton, Southampton and Netherlands boss has told Griezmann that he will now focus the rebuild around him.

Griezmann joined Barcelona from Atletico Madrid in a €120m (£108m) deal last summer but endured an underwhelming debut campaign with the Catalan outfit as they surrendered their La Liga title and were knocked out early in both the Champions League and Copa del Rey.

The 29-year-old completed the full 90 minutes just 19 times across all competitions throughout the season, scoring 15 goals and creating four more in 48 appearances.

Koeman plans to use Griezmann in a similar free role to the one he excelled in with Atletico Madrid, though, and has even promised the France international his favoured number seven shirt - previously occupied by Philippe Coutinho.



Lionel Messi 'will report to Barcelona training on Monday'

Barcelona captain Lionel Messi celebrates scoring his 700th goal in their match against Atletico Madrid on June 30, 2020© Reuters

Lionel Messi has reportedly been advised to continue attending Barcelona training for the foreseeable future.

Earlier this week, Messi informed club officials that he wishes to leave Camp Nou this summer, allegedly citing a free transfer clause in his contract.

However, with that option having expired on June 10, Barcelona will rebuff any attempts from the 33-year-old to depart the club without a fee being involved.

Although negotiations regarding an exit are likely to be prolonged, TyC Sports suggests that Messi has been told to continue with business as normal.

The Argentine's legal representatives are said to be want the forward to turn up at training on Monday in a bid to avoid handing Barcelona any leverage behind the scenes.

Messi, who has less than 12 months on his contract, is reportedly attracting attention from Manchester City, Inter Milan, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United.


More transfer news from Barcelona:

Marc Jurado, Alvaro Fernandez 'set to join Manchester United'
Marc Jurado, 16, and Alvaro Fernandez, 17, are joining from Barcelona and Real Madrid respectively. Read more.

Lionel Messi 'enquired about Barcelona's transfer plans before asking to leave'
Lionel Messi reportedly enquired about Barcelona's transfer plans - a question new manager Ronald Koeman was unable to answer - before asking to leave the club. Read more.

Barcelona chief Josep Maria Bartomeu 'promises to resign if Lionel Messi stays'
Josep Maria Bartomeu is reportedly willing to resign as Barcelona president if Lionel Messi promises to remain at Camp Nou. Read more.

Lionel Messi deal 'would cost Manchester City £500m'
Any deal to take Barcelona talisman Lionel Messi to Manchester City would reportedly cost the Premier League club more than half a billion pounds. Read more.

Manchester City 'ready to offer Barca three players plus £90m for Lionel Messi'
Manchester City reportedly prepare to offer Barcelona three players plus £90m for club captain Lionel Messi, who is seeking a move elsewhere. Read more.

Lionel Messi 'wants Neymar to join him at Manchester City'
Lionel Messi wants former Barcelona teammate Neymar to join him at Manchester City, according to a report. Read more.

Ronaldo urges Barcelona to keep hold of Lionel Messi
Former forward Ronaldo urges Barcelona and Lionel Messi to prolong their "strong relationship", despite the Argentine handing in a transfer request. Read more.

Manchester United 'still want Jadon Sancho despite Lionel Messi availability'
Borussia Dortmund's Jadon Sancho remains Manchester United's first-choice target despite the availability of Barcelona's Lionel Messi, according to a report. Read more.

Neymar 'asks Paris Saint-Germain to sign Lionel Messi'
Neymar allegedly asks Paris Saint-Germain to make an approach for want-away Barcelona forward Lionel Messi. Read more.

Barcelona legend Rivaldo urges Lionel Messi to join Manchester City
Barcelona legend Rivaldo claims that Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is ideally suited to get the best out of Lionel Messi during the rest of his career. Read more.

Barcelona 'lining up Sadio Mane as Lionel Messi replacement'
Barcelona could target Liverpool attacker Sadio Mane as a replacement for Lionel Messi, according to a report. Read more.

Lionel Messi set to break silence after Barcelona transfer request?
Barcelona forward Lionel Messi will break his silence in the next few days after handing in a transfer request, according to a report. Read more.

Luis Suarez agent: 'Lionel Messi future will affect transfer decision'
The agent of Barcelona forward Luis Suarez suggests that his client's future will be linked to that of "best friend" Lionel Messi after the Argentine's transfer request. Read more.

Manchester United 'still in contact with Aston Villa over Jack Grealish'
Manchester United reportedly remain in contact with Aston Villa regarding a potential deal for playmaker Jack Grealish. Read more.

Bayern Munich rule out Lionel Messi move due to cost of deal
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge rules Bayern Munich out of the race to sign Lionel Messi from Barcelona. Read more.

Newell's Old Boys fans eyeing Lionel Messi return
The 33-year-old came through the academy at the Rosario-based club. Read more.

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Barcelona's Antoine Griezmann celebrates scoring their first goal on February 25, 2020
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CBarcelona36274566184885
2Atletico MadridAtletico35226763273672
3Real Madrid35225870333771
4Real Sociedad36208848321668
5Villarreal351861154361860
6Real BetisBetis35168114338556
7Athletic Bilbao35148134639750
8GironaGirona361310135651549
9Sevilla35139134449-548
10Osasuna35138143239-747
11Rayo Vallecano351210134247-546
12Mallorca35128153340-744
13Valencia35117173941-240
14Celta Vigo361010164151-1040
15Almeria36116194662-1639
16CadizCadiz35911152850-2238
17Real ValladolidValladolid36115203363-3038
18Getafe35811163144-1335
19Espanyol35810174461-1734
RElcheElche3548232765-3820

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