Released, delivered… No more half-hour matches for Antoine Griezmann, bullied for obscure contractual reasons. The French world champion is (again) for good a player of Atlético de Madrid since Monday, and the formalization of his final transfer, until 2026. The 31-year-old striker no longer belongs to FC Barcelona, who had loaned him since the summer of 2021 to his former club.
“All I wanted was to stay here,” reacted the player on the Colchoneros websitewho signed a check for 20 million euros (pending 4 million in possible bonuses) to recover an item they had sold 120 million to Barça in June 2019…
The buyout clause has melted in half
Initially, the buyout clause was 40 million, but the two clubs agreed to put an end to this ubiquitous affair. “If Atlético were to sell him, he would pay us the difference to reach the 40 million euros”, however, said Joan Laporta, the president of Barça, on Sunday during the general meeting of the club.
Griezmann would have considerably reduced his salary (8 million euros net per year against 12 currently, which still leaves something to see coming) to achieve his ends. With this weight less, “Grizou” can prepare for the next World Cup in Qatar (November 20 – December 18) with a free spirit. Finally some good news for Didier Deschamps.