Football News

“It is possible”: La Liga president confirms Griezmann’s Barcelona move could be blocked

By Steve Jennings

Published: 22:47, 24 July 2019

La Liga president Javier Tebas has confirmed Antoine Griezmann’s move from Atletico Madrid to Barcelona could be blocked as a dispute over the transfer fee rumbles on.

Atleti have made an official complaint to La Liga after Barcelona triggered Griezmann’s €120m release clause on July 12.

What are Atleti accusing Barcelona of? Five key things to know…

  • Barcelona triggered Griezmann’s €120m (£107m) release clause on July 12.
  • They subsequently completed the signing of the Frenchman on a five-year contract.
  • Griezmann’s release clause dropped from €200m to €120m on July 1.
  • But Atleti claim Barcelona agreed a deal with Griezmann before then, when the clause was still €200m.
  • Atleti have complained to La Liga in order to receive what they think is the correct fee from Barcelona.

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The release clause dropped to €120m from €200m at the beginning of the month but Atleti believe Barcelona agreed a deal with Griezmann when the clause was still valued at €200m.

Reports in Spain claim Atleti do not intend to stop the 28-year-old from playing for Barcelona but the club believes they should receive an extra €80m as part of his transfer fee.

However, Tebas has suggested Atleti’s complaint could result in the transfer being blocked depending on the conclusions of La Liga’s investigation.

“It is possible to block a player’s transfer,” the La Liga president told Onda Cero. “La Liga will have to decide what course of action to take.”

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Tebas added: “[Atletico] submitted a complaint and put in doubt whether we should pass Griezmann’s licence to Barcelona.

“There’s a process that has been put in motion and those overseeing it will have to come to resolve the case.”

Griezmann made his first appearance for Barcelona in a friendly against Chelsea this week as Ernesto Valverde’s side lost 2-1 to Frank Lampard’s men in Japan.

The World Cup winner could make his competitive debut for the Catalan club against Athetlic Bilbao in La Liga’s curtain raiser next month.