Barcelona did not need Griezmann, he does not fit our system - Laporta

Barcelona president, Joan Laporta, has said Antoine Griezmann was not the player they needed.

According to him, Griezmann did not fit into their system, which has led to Griezmann being sent back to Atletico Madrid on loan.

The France forward arrived at the Camp Nou in 2019 for a fee around £108million.

However, he failed to recapture his best form for Barca, although he managed 35 goals in 102 matches.

This summer, the club became eager to cut his £300,000 a week salary off their wage bill and sent him back to his former club.

Laporta told Onze: "We know what kind of player he was and is, he's a great player. I think he didn't fit in our system, but I think he showed a very good attitude. I sent him a message wishing him well, because he's always had the correct attitude.

"In footballing terms he wasn't the player we needed. He scored goals - I think the one he scored in last year's Copa del Rey that we won was very important - but it's true that he could have given more. But he was under difficult circumstances."