Barcelona hand Antoine Griezmann club-record release clause following €120m switch from Atletico
Barcelona have finally confirmed the signing of Antoine Griezmann from Atletico Madrid on a five-year deal.
Griezmann has long been expected to join Barcelona since his impending departure from Atletico was announced in May.
Griezmann finally joins Barca: Five things to know…
- Antoine Griezmann signed for Atletico Madrid from Real Sociedad in 2014.
- The Frenchman scored 133 goals in all competitions for Atleti.
- But he announced his imminent departure in May, ending his four-year spell with the club.
- And now Griezmann has been confirmed as a Barcelona player.
- Griezmann joins Barcelona on a five-year deal with a buyout clause of €800m.
Earlier in July, Atletico hit out at both Barcelona and Griezmann for showing them “disrespect” in reportedly agreeing a transfer in March.
But now the saga is finally over, with Griezmann being announced as Barcelona’s third arrival of the summer. The Frenchman joins Frenkie de Jong and Neto at the Nou Camp, with a staggering release clause of €800m – higher than Lionel Messi’s.
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A statement on Barcelona’s official website read: “FC Barcelona has paid the 120 million euro buyout clause to release Antoine Griezmann from Atlético Madrid.
“The player will sign a contract with his new club for the next five seasons, through to 30 June 2024, with a buyout clause of 800 million euros.
“We will shortly be publishing the full schedule for the presentation of Antoine Griezmann as a new member of the Barça first team.”
Atletico Madrid demand more money for Griezmann sale
While some teams like to wish departing players well for the future, Atletico Madrid used their statement on Griezmann’s sale to express their intentions of taking Barcelona to court.
It read: “Antoine Griezmann, represented by his lawyer, has appeared at the headquarters of the Professional Football League to unilaterally terminate the contract that binds the player with Atlético de Madrid, having deposited Fútbol Club Barcelona in the name and on behalf of the player the amount of €120m.
“Atlético de Madrid believes that the amount deposited is insufficient to meet its rescission clause, since it is obvious that the commitment of the player and that of Football Club Barcelona was closed before the aforementioned clause was reduced from €200m to €120m.
“It was also prior to the date on which the clause was modified the communication that the player made on May 14 announcing his disengagement from the club.
“Atlético de Madrid believes that the termination of the contract occurred before the end of last season due to events, acts and demonstrations carried out by the player and that is why he has already started the procedures he considered appropriate for the defense of his rights and interests legitimate.”
