Abidal: If Barcelona want Griezmann to go with Messi and Suarez, why sign Dembele? LaLiga - Barcelona Also considers where Coutinho could fit in

Barcelona's transfer strategy has been questioned by former player Eric Abidal, who has asked why the team would need both Ousmane Dembele and Antoine Griezmann.

Talks between the Atletico Madrid striker and the Blaugrana have reportedly been held and Abidal found it curious given the money spent on fellow forward Dembele.

"If you want Suarez, Messi and Griezmann, why sign Dembele?" he pondered on El Larguero. "There are questions.

"Signing Coutinho means some will have to sit on the bench, that is why I say it is good to sign great players but it depends on the vision of the club.

"In football, the future is more important and it is better to have the best players in your team. Having a player like Griezmann in your team is always an advantage."

While the ex-Borussia Dortmund winger hasn't hit the heights expected of him at Barcelona just yet, Abidal is happy to give him time.

"[Dembele] is very young and has a lot of talent," added Abidal. "We are all waiting for him to return to his best.

"I don't doubt his performances and the work that he will do at the club. It is very difficult to change team; the body has to adapt and his diary and nutrition will be different."

The former left-back also discussed Karim Benzema, Real Madrid and Zinedine Zidane's struggle to deliver success in his second full season in charge.

"It's very difficult [for Zidane], already in his first year he won titles and football is like that, the fans get used to winning titles and you can not fail them," said the Frenchman.

"[There] is a lack of respect towards Benzema [from the national team], he is a player who has always worked hard.

"It's a surprise that he doesn't go to the national team, he's one of the best strikers in France. I think he's a player who deserves to be with France."