Barcelona hope to secure cheap deal for Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann?

Barcelona will reportedly try to sign Atletico Madrid star Antoine Griezmann before his value rises.

The France international's release clause currently sits at £89m, but it is believed that the figure will increase significantly after July 1 next year.

Reports have claimed that any club trying to buy the forward from July onwards will have to part with £178m, but according to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona believe that they can secure a cheaper deal beforehand.

It has been claimed that Griezmann has been earmarked as a replacement for Neymar, who formed a deadly attacking trio with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez prior to joining Paris Saint-Germain in the summer.

Manchester United were heavily linked with a swoop for the attacker, but after Atletico's transfer embargo was confirmed, the speculation faded.