5 reasons why Barcelona will become unstoppable if they sign Antoine Griezmann

The transfer window is open again and for the next two months, club officials scurrying around to complete deals will be a common sight. Amongst all the heavyweights, footballing enthusiasts will keep a watchful eye on Barcelona's transfer activity.

The Catalan giants are once again scouring the market for a marquee signing and it seems like they have found their latest target. For months now, they have reportedly been eyeing Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann.

While there have been divided opinions regarding the Frenchman's rumoured signing, there's no doubt that acquiring him would bring a lot of positivity and will certainly strengthen the club as a whole.

On that note, let's take a look at 5 reasons why signing Griezmann could make Barcelona an unstoppable force in Europe.

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#5 He will increase Barcelona's goal tally

Antoine Griezmann could certainly add to Barca's goal tally

Neymar's departure was bound to leave a big gap in Barcelona's menacing attack. Of course, they did sign Ousmane Dembele to fill the giant boots of the Brazilian, but a lack of experience and constant injuries limited the Frenchman to the fringes, denting the Blaugrana's record in front of the goal.

In Neymar's last season at the club, Barcelona netted 171 goals in all club competitions; 116 of those came in La Liga, 26 in the UEFA Champions League, 24 in the Copa del Rey and 5 in the Spanish Super Cup.

This season, in the Brazilian's absence, Barcelona found the net just 141 times in all competitions; they scored 99 in the league, 17 in the UEFA Champions League, 24 in the Copa del Rey.

The Catalans scored 30 fewer goals after selling Neymar, failing to cross the 100-goal barrier in the league. Antoine Griezmann's arrival will definitely strengthen their goal-poaching abilities, making them one of the most feared attacks in the world, if they aren't already.

#4 Barcelona can revert to 4-3-3 if they sign Griezmann

Griezmann would allow Ernesto Valverde to use the 4-3-3 formation again

With Neymar's record move and Ousmane Dembele's season being blighted by injuries, Barcelona were forced to play in a 4-4-2 formation for the most part of the season. However, signing Antoine Griezmann could pave the way for Ernesto Valverde to use the 4-3-3 format that the Catalans have religiously followed over the years.

A midfield comprising of Philippe Coutinho, Ivan Rakitic and Sergio Busquets spearheaded by the trio of Griezmann, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez will be more than enough to send shivers down the spine of any opponent they face next season.

Of course, Dembele will see his game time being sacrificed in order to accommodate his French teammate. But, the 2017/18 season proved that the 21-year-old still needs time to adapt to the style of play and pressurizing him will be the last thing Barcelona would want to do.

While Dembele learns the Catalonian trade for the future, Griezmann can be an excellent option to safeguard Barcelona's present.

#3 Griezmann is a tactically flexible player

Griezmann can play in a variety of attacking positions

During his time at Real Sociedad, Antoine Griezmann burst onto the scene as an electrifying winger; impressive displays at Anoeta saw him seal a switch to Atletico Madrid.

Under Diego Simeone, the Frenchman flourished in a proper no.9 role. He can also function as a number 10 at times, thanks to his creative vision.

All in all, Grizou is a versatile player capable of carrying out different roles to perfection. His skill set consisting of pace, vision, dribbling and finishing makes him a dangerous player to keep a tab on. Signing him would enable Valverde to use several different formations such as 4-3-3, 3-4-3, 4-4-2 and 3-3-1-3.

Having a tactically astute and flexible player like Griezmann will also help Valverde's men perform well in and when Leo Messi is absent, thereby ridding themselves of the burden and negativity of Messidependencia.

#2 His immense work ethic

Antoine Griezmann is a fantastic tackler

Barcelona will have to fork out a huge sum to sign Antoine Griezmann and have his attacking abilities at their disposal. However, along with the attacking qualities he possesses, the Atletico number 7's defensive abilities will also be cherry on the cake for Ernesto Valverde.

The Frenchman has mastered the art of using his pace to track back and win possession with clean tackles. In his first season with Atletico, his tackle success rate was 28%, a number that has improved to 40% over the years.

No matter what fee Barcelona shell out to sign him, he is a complete package who will undeniably be worth the sum.

Further, having an excellent ball-winner in attack can also be an added positive when it comes to applying press on the opponents in their half.

#1 Signing Griezmann could ease Messi of his creative duties

Griezmann signing for Barcelona would be beneficial for Leo Messi

Imagine Leo Messi playing as a striker alongside Luis Suarez with Griezmann and Coutinho functioning as the two creative midfielders in a 4-2-2-2 formation. That would definitely relieve the Argentinian from his creative duties and help him concentrate solely on scoring goals - the job at which he is the best in the world.

Coutinho and Griezmann playing as the creative lynchpins of the team would help Messi unleash his powers in front of the goal. In a manner of speaking, the pair could well be his new Xavi-Iniesta duo, the two greats who played a vital part in making him the best footballer on earth.

And, the world doesn't need any special explanation as to how menacing Barcelona can be when their number 10 is at the height of his powers; for a better example, refer to season 2011-12.

Griezmann's acquisition will also improve the squad's attacking depth. Ernesto Valverde might well be left with a selection headache seeing the likes of Grizou, Messi, Suarez, Dembele and Coutinho, all in one place, but that's something he'd willingly accept, isn't it?