The French world champion Antoine Griezmann changes after a long transfer poker from Atletico Madrid to the Spanish champion FC Barcelona.
This was announced by the Catalans after the fixed transfer fee of 120 million euros was paid on Friday noon. The 28-year-old offensive player signed a five-year contract with Lionel Messi’s club and the German national goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen. The contract contains an exit clause of 800 million euros.
Griezmann had last refused to train at Atletico, but had already announced in May that he wanted to leave the club. He had played with coach Diego Simeone’s team since 2014, extending to 2023 only last year. The 2016 European Championship top scorer has been Atletico’s most influential offensive player over the past five years, scoring 133 goals in 257 competitive games.
The transfer was delayed over the past few days because Barcelona allegedly wanted to pay the transfer fee in installments. Atletico is said to have refused.
Griezmann’s change could now result in an international chain reaction with possible repercussions in the Bundesliga. The former Dortmunder Ousmane Dembele is considered a candidate for the German record champion Bayern Munich and should get less playing time with Barca by the new competition.
