Griezy Rider
Griezmann completes £108m Barcelona transfer penning five-year contract including £720m release fee – but Atletico Madrid claim deal is invalid
Sponsored by
ANTOINE GRIEZMANN has completed his £108million move to Barcelona - penning a five-year contract that includes a staggering £720m release fee.
But Atletico Madrid sensationally claim the transfer is INVALID and want Barcelona to pay another £72m.
3
3
They believe Griezmann, 28, made it clear he wanted to join Barcelona long before his release clause dropped from £180m to £108m at the start of the month.
And Atletico are now ready to take legal action to make Barcelona cough up the rest of the sum.
Griezmann had been linked with both Barca and Manchester United for around two years before he finally sealed his switch.
And the France international has signed a five-year deal, running until June 2024 - including the ridiculous £720m release clause.
ATLETI RAGE
But Atleti are ready to take their fight to the higher powers in Spanish football, with an official statement read: “We consider that the amount deposited is insufficient to meeting Griezmann’s release clause.
“It is obvious that he committed to Barcelona before the amount was reduced.
“It was also on 14 May the player announced his disassociation from the club.
“Atletico believes the contract termination took place before the end of last season, and has therefore already initiated procedures it considers appropriate for the defence of the club’s rights and legitimate interests.”
3
Meanwhile, Atletico didn't waste a single second in replacing Griezmann - as they announced the signing of striker Ivan Saponjic.
Earlier on Friday, Griezmann's lawyers were spotted on his way to deposit the funds for his Barca move.
As is stipulated in Spanish contracts, a release clause must be paid in full and in person via La Liga.
Barcelona are now expected to officially unveil him this weekend before he begins training next week.
Manchester United were also linked to Griezmann once he signed a new contract last year, a deal which dropped his buy-out fee significantly this summer.
However Barcelona secured an agreement with the Frenchman during the spring, according to Atletico who released an angry statement about the deal last week.
It was claimed the Catalans asked to delay paying the £108m, or to send it in instalments, but that suggestion was rejected.
Most Read In Sport
During the saga, Griezmann dodged Atleti training and was spotted soaking up the sun in Ibiza alongside his wife, Erika.
But now, the deal is done and Griezmann is officially a Barcelona star, linking up with the likes of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez in a fearsome attacking line.
The Frenchman's move is bound to be good news for Gerard Pique, too - who dumped himself in hot water last summer after it was revealed his production company made Griezmann's infamous video about staying at Atleti.
Atlético Madrid break transfer record with £113m capture of Joao Felix to make him fifth most expensive transfer ever
Topics