Barcelona ‘are pushing to finalise a £22m transfer for Antoine Griezmann’ with Atletico Madrid
>
Barcelona is rushing to finalize a £22m deal for Antoine Griezmann with Atlético Madrid to end the farce of him coming off the bench… with the Catalan club eager for the transfer arrange before the parties meet on January 7 in Madrid
- Barcelona hopes to close a discount deal on Antoine Griezmann
- Griezmann is limited to sub appearances in Atletico matches this season
- The club wanted to avoid including a £35m purchase clause in its loan deal
- Barcelona threatened legal action because they thought the money was owed
- The Catalan side still has the option to go to court if a solution cannot be reached
<!–
<!–
<!–
<!–
<!–
<!–
Barcelona are rushing to finalize a £22m deal for Antoine Griezmann’s permanent transfer to Atletico Madrid, according to reports.
The Catalan side is looking for a solution to the Frenchman’s current ordeal, seeing him appear for Diego Simeone’s side only after 60 minutes.
Atletico must pay Barcelona £35million if Griezmann plays 50 per cent of his playing time during his two-year loan period with them.
Barcelona trying to make a deal for Antoine Griezmann with Atletico Madrid
The Catalan side feels willing to negotiate with their league rivals before taking legal action
However, with the Frenchman becoming frustrated with his replacement appearances, Xavi’s side is trying to negotiate a deal for a reduced price of £22 million.
According to Mundo Deportivothey hope to close the transfer before the two sides face each other in LaLiga for the first time this season on January 7, when Barcelona travel to the Metropolitano.
The Catalan side can still take legal action if no solution is found, but they want to find an amicable solution first.
Barca believe that Atlético has already activated the purchase option because he had more than 50% playing time for the club in the first year on loan. However, Atletico believe it will be effective if he exceeds that percentage in the total two loan years – hence they are now refusing to start him.
Diego Simeone has refused to bring in the Frenchman for the 60th minute this season
The 31-year-old’s seven appearances in LaLiga this season have all come after 60 minutes, and Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone has strongly hinted that the restrictions come from the hierarchy at the club.
Griezmann has still managed to score three goals in all those games, but will be relieved to finally play the full 90 minutes as he looks to secure his place in France’s squad for the World Cup in November.
Barcelona had been on their heels to try and recoup the full £35million for the striker, but are now happy to accept the reduced fee as the cramped club look to recoup some money for their unwanted stars.
