The club have released a statement saying Barcelona met the player during a crucial spell in their season and have rejected a proposed late payment for the player.
Atletico Madrid have responded to Barcelona's interest in Antoine Griezmann with a statement on their official website. Josep Maria Bartomeu said that the two clubs sat down and discussed the transfer of the French attacker after he announced in May that he would be leaving the club in the summer.
"On the 14th of May, Antoine Griezmann told Miguel Angel Gil, Diego Simeone and Andrea Berta about his decision to leave the club at the end of the season," the statement reads. "In the days following this meeting, Atletico Madrid became aware that Barcelona and Griezmann had reached an agreement in March, specifically, in the days following the loss to Juventus in the Champions League."
The statement says that a meeting did take place, as Bartomeu said, and that the CEO Oscar Grau, outlined the club's plan to pay the release clause of the player once the figure dropped from โฌ200 million to โฌ120 million.
"He also asked for a postponement of the payment for the said amount," the statement reads. Atletico rejected that request from Barcelona and say that they responded negatively because of the lack of respect Griezmann has shown to the club and the club's fans during the whole affair.
The club have told Griezmann he must present himself for preseason training next Sunday with the rest of his players. The statement goes on to say that the club did not take kindly to speaking to a player while under contract and "not just playing the game against Juventus but playing against Barcelona too."
sinilnoryz
3204
I think VAR should be used in transfer market as well ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐
Vendiknprt
377
Good lesson for big clubs. They thought that they can always capitalized one small clubs weaknesses by loosening an important matches to convince their players to join them. Now with Neymar availability they want to dictate payment to Atletco. Does it make sense to Atletco ?
L2oz
265
when the barber says we are done but actually he didnt do anything you be like looking at the mirror[Crylaugh]
PrinceSl
254
We are just causing unnecessary problem, Barcelona should be bigger than any player, Griezman humiliated us last season so he should stay where he is or go to another club, Neymar left when we needed him most so he too should stay at PSG. Our problem is a striker, left back and De Ligt to replace pique since he and Suarez are getting old and tired. Signing Griezman and Neymar will make it almost impossible for Alena, Abel Ruiz, Pigue and other young stars to play. Note if we can't get De Ligt they should give Todibo chance to play, football is not all about buying every available star, you should first manage the ones you have and as well have playing style. Tottenham didn't sign anyone last year but they were in Champions league final.
Naudnoruz
240
So it was okay for Athletico when Griezmann made a video about not going to Barca and now he's done the same thing to he's club and they finally realize it's a lack of respect to the club and fans, tf. Damn hypocrites... have him for all I care.
rmcfc9
158
I cant wait for atletico to screw griezmann over and not let him go to Barcelona but then not let him play at atletico. This is one ugly transfer considering the whole decision video. I wonder if this was griezmann's plan the whole time.
Desmondeyum
146
That recent Atletico statement on Griezmann is huge too. - Claim Barรงa and player went behind Atleti's backs during a crucial stage of the season and showed no respect to them - Atleti say they refuse to structure Griezmann deal in a way that Barรงa avoids paying โฌ120m in full
Ossboy
96
Wow๐ฑ it's a crazy shock for Barcelona fans. Now, it's 100% to look for Neymer๐๐๐๐
Gunners4everโค
73
Does this mean neymar won't come to barcelona?
sandemor
70
if they want him back to the team why did they gave his jersey number to that kid Are they also respecting the player i know no player is bigger than team but what if transfer happens to fail for griezmann
StackAlmighty
67
These guys are playing with fire Griezman has accepted to leave athletico why not buy him that moment instead of waiting, if there is no Griezman for this season Barcelona will just be the same like last season and they will loose lots of opportunities Griezman is wise and that the person we need for 11 wing to play good football with Messi
Penklosy
58
For me, I think there's no cause for alarm here. It's not our fault that they included that clause in his contract. Assuming the release clause was fixed, we could still have paid it and get the player if we want to. Once we meet the release clause the question of when we reach agreement with the player doesn't count. period !
Beckly
57
Now pride is the problem. Why not forget all these things and focus on what is necessary. Respect is good and that seems to be the case here but the fact is all these is leading to nowhere positive
dineeeyjr
55
Atletico Madrid will sue Barcelona for agreeing a deal behind their back,thats the reason barca always sign flops they never allowed a player to leave his club peacefully like hazard ,they snatch and end up disappointed
SergVeLo
12
What ?? Is it True .. Then Next Season Barcelona will be really undefeatable . .. It will be one of the best signing for Bercelona for all time . .. Congratulations from the Rival . ..
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Im not sure if you're dumb or just couldn't read, the article clearly stated the bid has been rejected.. What's true? What's there to congratulate?
AtletiFan-NY
9
The way he treated atletico? Rn your club is where it is only because of this guy you should respect that He wants to win more trophies and wants to play woth GOAT so whatโs wrong in that?
Man I never doubted his talent and will disagree that Atleti is at current place because of him. I give all credit to Simone. Atleti last won league in 2013-14 and they reached their first CL final in 2014 before the arrival of Griezmann. At the same time, I will give credit to Griezmann for taking the team on his shoulders in last 2-3 years. The point is Atleti also went beyond its financial strength to give Griezmann one of the biggest contract. He was like on top 5 highest paid player when Atleti is not even in top 10 clubs in terms of financial strength. Atleti fans and board gave him all respect but if he negotiated with Barca in days of crucial part of the season ( Atleti was like 4 points behind Barca and there was CL game ahead). So isnโt is disrespect. Leave it, what will you think of you star player if he was negotiating terms with other club just before Barca defeat against Liverpool??