Attention Atleti! Griezmann's release clause to drop to €120m this summer

On July 1, in a pre-arranged contractual agreement, the World Cup winner's minimum release clause will drop from €200m to €120m.

Antoine Griezmann is likely to be one of the main transfer stories of the summer with links to Barcelona and other European big spenders resurfacing in the wake of Atlético’s season effectively ending in March.

The 27-year-old World Cup winner was reportedly close to a move to Camp Nou last summer but elected in the end to remain at Atlético, signing a new deal running until 2023 with a minimum release clause of 200 million euros.

However, Griezmann managed to insert a clause of his own into the deal that will see that amount drop to 120 million euros on July 1 – a far more attractive number for potential suitors.

Atlético may seek to beat clause with early Griezmann sale

Atlético’s defeat against Juventus from a 2-0 advantage after the opening leg and the loss in San Mamés last weekend, which left Diego Simeone’s side 10 points adrift of Barcelona in LaLiga, has hit morale at the Metropolitano and it is likely that several key players will be on their way this summer, club captain and Griezmann’s close friend Diego Godín among them.

As well as Barcelona’s long-standing interest in the 27-year-old, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United are likely to become involved in the bidding if the player decides to leave and Atlético are willing to listen to offers. If it appears certain that Griezmann has set his heart on a change of scenery, Atlético will likely attempt to spark an auction as soon as the season ends to sell the France forward before July 1.