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Ernesto Valverde refuses to discuss Barcelona's Antoine Griezmann interest

:Headline: Ernesto Valverde refuses to discuss Barcelona's Antoine Griezmann interest: ID:359649: from db_amp
The French forward is set to leave Atletico Madrid in the summer.

Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde refused to be drawn on whether the club would look to bring Antoine Griezmann to the Nou Camp over the summer.

The France forward has informed Atletico Madrid he wishes to leave at the end of the season.

Griezmann was heavily linked with a switch to Barcelona last summer, before opting to stay at the Wanda Metropolitano.

Following the announcement by the 28-year-old, speculation is again rife the LaLiga champions will renew attempts to broker a deal, with the striker's release clause said to be in the region of some 120million euro (£105m).

Valverde, though, played down any suggestions the transfer was as good as done when facing the media ahead of Sunday's final LaLiga match at Eibar.

"We've always said the same. He's a player who is at another team, he's a great player, we've always said that," the Barcelona boss told a press conference as reported by the Spanish media.

Antoine Griezmann wants to leave Atletico Madrid for a fresh challenge (Nick Potts/PA)

Pressed on whether Griezmann would fit into his team, Valverde replied: "If in the end he comes to Barcelona, ​​we will see, but we are talking about hypothetical situations, about a player who may or may not come in.

"I have already been asked about other types of hypothetical situations and I've not talked about it either."

Barcelona are expected to strengthen over the summer, as the club aim to last the distance in Europe once again having fallen short in the Champions League, this season at the semi-final stage against Liverpool.

Valverde added: "The season has been very good, that is the reality.

"Yes, it has been damaged by how we have fallen in the Champions League, but we have won a (Spanish) Super Cup, we have won LaLiga with days in advance and we can win the Copa del Rey."

Valverde hopes the game against Eibar can provide focus ahead of the Valencia tie.

He said: "Eibar always have high intensity, we like matches like that because we want to continue competing and we have the final."

Forward Kevin-Prince Boateng has been ruled out by a left knee problem.

Eibar boss Jose Luis Mendilibar, whose side have already guaranteed their top-flight survival and could yet finish as high as 10th, hopes everyone can enjoy the end-of-season visit of the champions.

"I hope it's a party for the fans and for us. We are in a comfortable position, we have fulfilled objectives," he said, quoted by the club website.

"We would like to finish higher, among the top 10, and we have the possibility if we win."

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1Barcelona18122450203038
2Atletico MadridAtletico17115131112038
3Real Madrid17114237162137
4Athletic Bilbao1896327161133
5Villarreal177642928127
6Mallorca188371821-327
7Real Sociedad177461611525
8Osasuna176742225-325
9Real BetisBetis176652021-124
10GironaGirona176472325-222
11Sevilla176471823-522
12Rayo Vallecano175661920-121
13Celta Vigo176382528-321
14Las PalmasLas Palmas175482227-519
15Leganes174671523-818
16Getafe173771114-316
17AlavesAlaves174491928-916
18Espanyol1743101629-1315
19Real ValladolidValladolid1733111234-2212
20Valencia162591424-1011
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