Atletico Madrid ‘will report Barcelona to Fifa’ over illegal approach to sign Antoine Griezmann
Frenchman signed new contract with Rojiblancos back in June but has been frequently linked with summer move to Nou Camp
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ATLETICO MADRID will report Barcelona to Fifa over what they consider to be an illegal approach for Antoine Griezmann.
The Frenchman signed a new contract in June — but has been regularly linked with a move to the Nou Camp.
It is undersood that Atletico believe illegal contact has been made between the two parties and will report Barcelona to football's governing body.
Furthermore, Rojiblanco club chiefs insist that, given the two teams are first and second in La Liga, the approach has been made as a deliberate intent to destabilise their title charge.
When asked about a move for the Frenchman, Barcelona director Guillermo Amor replied: "If [president Josep] Bartomeu met with Griezmann's family as the newspapers say, then there may well have been an approach. Though, I don't know anything for sure."
Barcelona were recently reported to Fifa by Santos and Gremio for illegal approaches to sign Lucas Lima and Arthur respectively.
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Griezmann was close to joined Manchester United last summer, but opted to stay with Atletico following Fifa's decision to uphold their transfer ban.
It had been expected the switch would eventually happen in 2018 until Barcelona entered the mix.
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After a slow start to the campaign, Griezmann, 26, picked up form in recent weeks as unbeaten Atletico continue to march up the table.
Diego Simeone's men are second in La Liga, just six points behind leaders Barcelona.