Antoine Griezmann has confirmed he is leaving Atletico Madrid in a video posted to the club's official Twitter account.
The France star only signed a five-year contract extension last summer, but has now said his time with the club will end after Saturday's match against Levante.
"It has been an incredible five years, thank you very much for everything, I carry you in my heart." said the French forward.
"I wanted to tell you that I have made the decision to leave, to face new things, new challenges.
"Thank you very much from the bottom of my heart and see you later."
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He is said to have held a meeting with manager Diego Simeone and chief executive Miguel Angel Gil Marin on Tuesday to communicate his decision and open the door for him to make the switch to the Nou Camp.
Griezmann was targeted by Barcelona last summer and made a high-profile decision to commit his future to Atletico Madrid.
His release clause rose to €200m to fend off Barcelona's interest - but the deal included a clause which will see that figure drop to €120m on July 1.
Now, it is expected that Barcelona will trigger his €120m release clause to sign the 28-year-old.
TeamMessi10
1254
Time for Griezmann to make a whole new documentary about how it’s like to play for Barcelona after rejecting them last season
neymarjosephtse
1196
He came he saw he conquered now he is living athletico as a legend to win ucl with barca good luck to your new life at barca
Longlife2000
858
Things I want to see next season. 1. The Right Back position sorted out. If Semedo or Roberto isn't good enough then bring in someone who is better rather than rotating both players when we all know both are just average. 2. A long term replacement for Alba. Alba would pass to the ball to Messi is he was sitting in the stands. We have seen great connections from both players but it's just ridiculous that if Alba make the run to the end of the field but Messi isn't there he'll most likely pass back to Messi who is somewhere in thr midfield while Suarez or Coutinho or Dembele and other players are wide open. Also if you all take good note, Alba is very average when Messi isn't on the field. I'm not bashing him or anything, I'm just stating the facts. I still want him as our starter next season but his long term replacement is needed now also. 3. The midfeild strengthened. Arthur, Busi, De Jong could be be the new MF Trio but Arthur seems to be getting injured regularly and he also can't play a full 90 so we will need good back up. Raki might be sold which would leave us with Vidal and Alena. That is not enough Barca should invest in an experienced CM once Raki is sold. Rabiot could be an option since he free. We need to prepare for injuries and other set backs such as players form. Also If Busquets continues this form he needs to be benchedas well. No room for feeling sorry. 4. As of now the talk is Griezmann will sign for Barca and that Coutinho will be sold to Chelsea, Malcom may also be sold as well which would leave us with Dembele as our only winger. I don't know what will happen with Suarez but I hope he leaves or is benched for important games. Dembele seems to be injury prone and he hasn't shown the form he had at Dortmund yet. 2 seasons has passed. If Coutinho and Malcom who isn't at that level anyways are sold and then Dembele get injured what happens ? We are left with Messi Grizzy and SUAREZ. Suarez will be 33 and we can see his decline very plain. There's nothing wrong with a player declining after a certain age, the problem is moving on from that player. We must come to terms that he can't be depended on. 2 things I think should happen either we keep Coutinho or buy good replacements once they are sold. 5. De ligt is also said to be a done deal which would mean we have 4 starting defenders. There are talks of Umtiti being sold but I would keep all 4. Pique will be 33 and his replacement is surely De ligt so after Pique we'll have 3 young defenders. De ligt, Umtiti and Lenglet which could give us close to 10 years at a high level. 6. Less Messi dependency, Messi still has to save us after spending so much money ? We need to show that we can win without Messi. 7. Start sacking Managers that fail. Messi is turning 32 next month. We need to take advantage of his last days because we ain't even gonna win CDR after he retires.
Ribin24
603
Now let's have a new place to see his favourite 'L' celebration... Welcome Griezmann to our heaven🔴🔵
Risdemnpsz
313
This team will be the greatest 😍😍😍
Shahriar
268
Be Scared Opponents, Be Very Much Scared
boabeilnrz
247
my honest opinion grizemann is going to a club where his play time can be cut short because Barcelona have the most talent strikers and midfielder messi, cutinho, Suarez , dembele etc. I don't know if we will be fit in the starting Xl i support your decision
zewabckmps
143
Grizman is a good choice for Barcelona, one of the best players in the world today. he can plays as a 9 striker also he can plays as a winger. so he should be given time more than Suarez. with Grizman and djyong, probably de-legt. braca will be more stronger. but anyway the administration should look for another coach
killbaby
135
📊 Griezmann for ATM:- — 255 games — 133 goals — 43 assists Antoine Griezmann announces he's leaving Atletico Madrid,"It has been five incredible years.Thank you very much for everything.I carry you in my heart".
babafemi
101
Atletico Madrid is a confused team, why compete next season anyway if they have to sell their best player to a team that threatens their chance of winning the league next season. It’s like Liverpool selling Mo Sallah to Man city, Barcelona selling Messi to Madrid or chelsea selling hazzard to Tottenham. Ain’t that synonymous to match fixing?
DrobaDroga
84
well It was an incredible ride having a player such as him would be every club's dream.When they were at bad times and couldn't afford a good replacement he stayed by Atleti's side.Then again the first time Barca came looking for him he chose to stay at the club that made him the star he is today.Yet Simeone's constant slip ups and the boards despicable decision to offer him contract till 2022 is what failed my favourite Spanish club.First Hernandez now Griezman and Godin.Who is next? Nonetheless thank you Grizi for the incredible experience you gave us.You will always be remembered here and all the best to your new club. ❤💙Au revoir Antoine Griezmann💙❤😭😭😭
Nesaiknruy_Legend
78
We've seen this before, will get crushed under the immense talent of Messi and live in his shadow for a year then be branded a flop or do well but go unnoticed followed by a transfer to PSG.... Griezmann should just stay where he can be the main man, going to Barca isnt the right move for a star player. Maybe a squad player but not a star.....
Shahriar
76
Antoine Griezmann for Atletico Madrid 🔴⚪️ 📆 5 years 👕 256 appearances ⚽️ 133 goals 🅰️ 50 assists 🏆 Europa League 🏆 Spanish Super Cup 🏆 UEFA Super Cup
fiycdopuyz
68
griezmann be ready to take 5-0 you'll not be honoured barca suffer from indecision and barca is coached by a player griezmann leaving someone to be coached by messi 😃😃😃 take note ada turam did same Suarez will play will play 9matches with one or two goals but won't be question but you will play 10with 4 goals and be questioned all because suarez is messi's friend check the comments and names they called you last season when you refused going there tgen you'll know they don't love u.
DEJI22
55
Griezman to Barca only possible with Coutinho leaving, due to deals for Frankie Dejong And De ligt. Coutinho and Dembouz hasn't turned out as planned, I feel Coutinho is a victim of wrong system by the Coach and hopefully Dembouz don't become the next Diaby/Sturridge.
Shawnjoseph54
54
I worry one day when football vanishes and it becomes a matter of money and players leave their club for money and big money spend without the same beautiful football one day we will reach to hear that players cost 200 million without even flicking the ball up or without sexy passes when this day comes we will miss both goats and we will miss the football we were used to it goodbye grizzo 😓😓good luck we will miss you in the derby with the take the L