Atletico Madrid 'reject Joao Felix, Antoine Griezmann swap with Barcelona'

Atletico Madrid have reportedly rejected the chance to re-sign Barcelona's Antoine Griezmann in exchange for Joao Felix.

The Catalan club are understood to be looking to offload the 30-year-old forward, who is now the club's highest earner on around £294,000 a week, after Lionel Messi officially became a free agent this month.

Barca president Joan Laporta have been instructed by La Liga chiefs to reduce their wage bill and balance their books before the 2021-22 campaign begins, in order to comply with Financial Fair Play regulations.

According to Marca, Barcelona proposed a direct swap deal with Atletico between Griezmann and Felix, though the La Liga champions rebuffed the offer as they are not interested in letting their Portuguese star leave.

The report does, however, state that both clubs would be open to a potential trade involving the Frenchman and midfielder Saul Niguez, who has been heavily linked with an exit this summer.

Griezmann, who joined Barcelona from Atleti for £107m in July 2019, made 51 appearances across all competitions during the 2020-21 campaign, scoring 20 goals and providing 13 assists.