The French forward was heavily touted to join the Catalan club this summer after months of speculation. It had even led to Atletico Madrid reporting their La Liga rivals to FIFA over an illegal approach.
And Barca issued a public apology despite continuing to work behind the scenes. The arrival of Griezmann at the Nou Camp would have spelled danger for current striker Suarez, though.
Ernesto Valverde favours a 4-4-2 formation, with Suarez and Messi up top but the arrival of the 27-year-old would have shunted the Uruguay star out of the starting XI. According to Don Balon, Barca chiefs were very keen on this plan – who are looking to the future.
Suarez will be 32 next season, which is not a disaster but his best years are most definitely behind him. And sensational reports in Don Balon have claimed that Suarez sought out Messi to throw a spanner in the plans – despite the Argentine calling for the former Real Sociedad forward to join.
Suarez and Messi are very close pals, on and off the pitch, and the duo want their partnership to continue for some time at the Nou Camp.