Chelsea Offered Chance to Sign Barcelona Star This Summer

• Barcelona are desperate to tie down Lionel Messi to a new long-term contract
• Messi is currently a free agent after running down his current deal with the Catalan giants
• Barca are now understood to have turned to their squad to raise funds for Messi's new deal
• It is believed a number of high-profile players have been put on sale including Griezmann
• Chelsea are in the market for a proven goalscorer, and the Frenchman represents an ideal option

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Barcelona are reportedly willing to offload Antoine Griezmann this summer to raise funds for Lionel Messi's contract.

Messi's deal with the Catalan giants has already expired and the club are desperate to tie him down to a long-term deal.

According to Metro UK, despite Barca securing the transfers of Sergio Aguero and Memphis Depay, securing the future of Messi is of more concern for the Ronald Koeman-tutored side.

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In an attempt aimed at freeing up enough cash for the contract of their record goalscorer, Barca have since embarked on moving on a number of deadwood players including Junior Firpo who is set to join Leeds, Francisco Trincao (Wolves), while Konrad De La Fuente and Matheus Fernandes have all exited.

Whereas those departures represent just a drop in the ocean, more high-profile names are projected to be put on sale.

Daily Star claims Antoine Griezmann is among the big names Barca are contemplating to sell, and Chelsea will be kept informed of developments.

Griezmann has struggled to live up to his billing like he did with Atletico Madrid and his massive £294,000-a-week wages have been described as an enormous burden.

Chelsea are in the market for a proven goalscorer, with Thomas Tuchel believed to be keen to reinforce his squad to build on the club's success from last season.

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The west London club had been linked with a move for Romelu Lukaku and Dortmund's Erling Haaland but it is Griezmann who now represents an intriguing option.

Messi officially a free agent

Earlier, Legit.ng had reported how former Barcelona defender, Yerry Mina, was mocked by his ex-captain at Nou Camp Lionel Messi following his penalty miss while representing his country Colombia against Argentina.

Yerry Mina's dream of winning the Copa America title came to an end on Wednesday morning, July 7, as Argentina defeated him and his teammates on penalties to advance to the final.

Argentina started the match impressively with captain Lionel Messi firing in all cylinders to help his country having lost two Copa America finals before in his career.

Source: Legit.ng