Barcelona ‘believe Atletico Madrid are REFUSING to play Antoine Griezmann to avoid triggering transfer obligation’

BARCELONA believe Atletico Madrid are benching Antoine Griezmann to avoid buying him, it's claimed in Spain.

Atletico reportedly have to buy the striker for around £35million if he plays 50 per cent of their matches during his two-season loan.

And it's suggested boss Diego Simeone has been told to give the the 31-year-old only cameo roles in this, his second campaign.

Griezmann has come on for the last half-hour in both of Atletico's first two LaLiga games this term.

But last term the French World Cup winner played 30 of the 37 matches he was available for.

That worked out at 45 minutes or more in 81 per cent of his Atletico performances.

So if he does want to evade the transfer trigger, Simeone has to be ultra careful this season.

It follows suggestions Atletico were willing to let Manchester United have Griezmann and Alvaro Morata in exchange for Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Portugal legend, 37, is struggling to find a taker in his bid to move on for Champions League football.

And despite having spent arguably his best years with big rivals Real Madrid, it's thought Ronaldo was impressed with Simeone's eagerness to sign him.

United have also been linked with a £45m move for Atleti's Brazil hitman Matheus Cunha.

That's after Red Devils' boss Erik ten Hag withdrew interest in Marco Arnautovic and lost out on Benjamin Sesko.

But it's understood United have agreed personal terms with Ajax winger Antony ahead of a possible £80m bid this week.