Barcelona Rumors: Lionel Messi, Quique Setien Planning To Eject Struggling Forward From Camp Nou

Antoine Griezmann's days at Camp Nou could be numbered. In the wake of Barcelona’s masterful 4-0 victory over Mallorca on Saturday, star captain Lionel Messi and manager Quique Setien noticed yet another poor showing from Griezmann, leading to the speculation that the two want the French forward out.

According to Diario GOL, Messi has had enough of Griezmann’s rubbish play for Barca that the Argentine star “does not even want to see him.”

“The presence of Antoine Griezmann was practically testimonial. The French striker had little weight in the attack. His interventions were sterile. Even Martin Braithwaite was more decisive. And he ended up leaving the field of play without penalty or glory,” the article read.

“It is not all his fault. After all, the Gallic is not playing in his natural position. But the locker room heavyweights hoped to see Griezmann evolve by now. That he would show a slight adaptation to his new role. And the truth is that he is still far from being able to eat at the table of Messi and Cristiano. Hardcore patience is exhausted.

“In the dome, they already know how the panorama is. And also the opinion of the cracks. Messi and company believe that if it does not show an evident improvement in the 10 remaining days, it will not.”

As the final whistle was blown in their last outing, Griezmann left the field scoreless after being an obvious non-factor despite the Catalans’ dominant win.

Atharva Khadilkar of Everything Barca likewise said that Barcelona’s “strong links” with Lautaro Martinez and Neymar are clear indications that Griezmann could be sent packing.

“Their task of landing Lautaro and Neymar could see the 29-year-old be a key figure. Inter Milan and PSG have both been insistent on getting money, but if their respective players come up with forceful antiques then they’ll have (a) little option and could have to run away with what’s offered to them on the plate, potentially Griezmann out here,” he wrote.

The 2018 World Cup winner has appeared in 38 matches across all competitions this season for the Blaugrana, for which he scored 14 goals, including eight at La Liga. Barcelona continues to lead the league with 61 points – just two above Real Madrid – and will face Leganes next on Tuesday.