As when after months of uncertainty it seemed that Athletico Madrid star striker Antoine Griezmann has been roped in by Spanish giants Barcelona for reported sum of $135 million deal , the Madrid club has challenged the deal.
As per reports Antoine Griezmann has signed for Barcelona on Thursday after the Barcelona paid La Liga rivals Atletico Madrid the 120 million euro ($135 million) release clause required to sign the World Cup winner.
“The player will sign a contract with his new club for the next five seasons, through to 30 June 2024, with a buyout clause of 800 million euros,” Barca said in a statement.
Drama Continues
Meanwhile Atletico Madrid has challenged Antoine Griezmann’s transfer to Barcelona as it insists the Catalans should have paid €200million to activate his release clause, not €120m.
Atletico believes the France international agreed terms with Barca before his clause dropped from €200m on July 1 and therefore claim it is owed an additional €80m to ratify the transfer.
In a statement published after Barca announced Griezmann as a new signing, Atleti said, “The amount deposited is insufficient to meet his release clause, since it is obvious that the agreement of the player and Barcelona was closed before the aforementioned clause was reduced from 200million euros to 120million euros.
“It was also prior to the date on which the clause was modified that the player made the communication, on May 14, that he will leave the club.
“Atletico Madrid believes the termination of the contract occurred before the end of last season due to events, acts and demonstrations carried out by the player and that is why it [the club] has already started procedures it considers appropriate for the defence of its rights and legitimate interests.”
Barca, who reportedly plans to present Griezmann at Camp Nou on Sunday, is yet to respond to Atletico’s claims.