Because of Griezmann: Atletico attacks Barca

On Friday evening Atletico Madrid published a statement regarding the transfer posse around Antoine Griezmann and sharply criticized FC Barcelona.

In May, shortly after Griezmann informed those responsible to leave the club, Atletico learned that Barca had been negotiating with the 28-year-old attacker since mid-February. In March, immediately after Atletico’s last sixteen finish against Juventus Turin in the Champions League, there had already been an agreement between the two parties.

“Atletico Madrid wants to express its deepest indignation about the behaviour of the two parties, especially about that of Barcelona”, says the Colchoneros statement. Barca had had a negative influence on the club in a decisive phase of the season in the premier class and LaLiga through the negotiations with Griezmann.

As a consequence, Atletico will not agree to a late payment of the Griezmann opt-out clause, which was lowered from 200 million euros to 120 million euros on July 1. The statement confirms that Atletico boss Angel Gil Marin and Barca’s managing director Oscar Grau had negotiated this at a meeting on Thursday. The meeting was unveiled by Barcelona’s President Josep Maria Bartomeu at a press conference on Friday afternoon.

Atletico also announced that they had informed Griezmann and his advisor and lawyer that they were expecting the Frenchman back on Sunday to start preparations for the new season with his teammates. The Spanish runner-up referred to Griezmann’s valid contract, which runs until 2023.