Griezmann goes on strike – and allegedly wants to pay the transfer himself

French world champion Antoine Griezmann is pushing his move within the Spanish league from Atletico Madrid to FC Barcelona. According to the Spanish media, the 28-year-old striker wants to deposit the transfer fee of 120 million euros stipulated in his exit clause with the Spanish association RFEF himself, which would officially end his employment relationship with Atletico.

As announced, Griezmann did not appear at the Colchoneros’ training start on Sunday evening. The striker had previously told Atletico, through his lawyer, that he would not return to work for the 2018 Europa League winner, which had led to further differences between him and the club.

Griezmann had already announced in mid-May that it would make use of its opt-out clause and leave Atletico after five years for the fixed transfer fee of 120 million euros.

The world champions are said to have been in agreement with Spanish champions FC Barcelona for some time, but there were apparently disagreements between the two clubs regarding the transfer fee. Barca allegedly wanted to pay the 120 million in several installments, Madrid immediately demands the complete sum.

Due to the lack of agreement, the capital city had demanded on Friday that Griezmann join the other national players in training on Sunday and go to the training camp in San Rafael on Monday.

The club had already announced a penalty in advance for Griezmann if he did not show up for training.