Chelsea are very much in contention to sign Barcelona forward Antoine Griezmann, according to reports in the Catalan media.

Barca are desperate to reduce their wage bill and, with the French World Cup winner being one of their highest earners, it appears that his club are willing to let him leave on loan this summer.

While Griezmann has been a top performer in the past, supporters on Twitter are not convinced that the 30-year-old still has what it takes to be their new number nine:

great another dud when we could break the bank for once in a lifetime goal machine

— . (@aightdamnn) July 12, 2021

he isn’t a bad player, he’s a decent player but he’s not the gunman that we need like a lukaku or haaland but I wouldn’t be that annoyed if we got griezmann

— JaV⭐️⭐️ (@JavayneEllis) July 12, 2021

Haaland or nobody

— L (@LCT_77) July 12, 2021

Noooo ????

— ????? (@SW3CareFree) July 12, 2021

He’s washed

— Matt (KingSnowCrab) (@407matto) July 12, 2021

Deco 2.0

— ⚜ (@zee20034) July 12, 2021

Hope this is nonsense.

— Unar Vegstein (@unarv) July 12, 2021

Another Torres waiting to happen… I swear we sign strikers based on past reputation and not output

— PuliSICKOMODE (@CFCJoga) July 12, 2021

uhm no thanks

— T I 〽️ ₁₀ (@CFCTlM) July 12, 2021

I don’t want him. Sign Haaland instead

— ??FEMI-KELVIN?? ✞ ➐ (@CFC_KELVINFEMI) July 12, 2021

It does seem as though Griezmann could be a backup plan if a move for Erling Haaland doesn’t work out. Recent reports indicate that the Blues are lining up a sizeable offer for the Norwegian, but with Borussia Dortmund demanding €175m (£150m), there is no guarantee that a deal will be finalised.

Griezmann could, therefore, be considered nearer the end of the transfer window if a bid for Haaland or other forwards stall.