Barcelona offered to swap Griezmann for João Felix - Spanish reports

According to Spanish outlet Marca, Barcelona offered Atletico Madrid the opportunity to exchange Golden Boy winner Joao Felix for Antoine Griezmann.

In what would have been a shock move, Barcelona proposed that World Cup winner Griezmann, who they bought from Atletico Madrid only last summer for a huge 120 million euros, return to Madrid in exchange for Felix, who Atletico also purchased last summer for 120 million euros, from Benfica.

Both Griezmann, 29, and Felix, 20, had challenging debut seasons at their respective clubs, albeit with plenty of encouraging signs, particularly for the latter.

With a nine-year difference in age between the two players, it is unsurprising that Atletico Madrid turned down the offer, wanting to keep hold of a young player that they invested considerable funds in. He should form a major part of the Atletico team for many years to come.

Barcelona have recently officially signed Francisco Trincao from SC Braga in a deal worth 30 million euros, while there have been suggestions that Bernardo Silva could be the replacement for Lionel Messi.

Had Felix then been heading to Barcelona, an attacking line including Trincao-Felix-Bernardo would have had a distinctively Portuguese feel to it.

Griezmann. Photo author: Антон Зайцев. License link.