Barcelona announce the signing of French ace Antoine Griezmann

Atletico Madrid dispute the money owed to them for the release clause in the player’s contract

Antoine Griezmann unveiled as a Barcelona player. (Photo: FC Barcelona)
Antoine Griezmann unveiled as a Barcelona player. (Photo: FC Barcelona) / ACN

ACN | Barcelona

July 12, 2019 04:48 PM

FC Barcelona has announced the signing of Antoine Griezmann from Atletico Madrid. The French World Cup winner arrives in Catalonia after €120 million was paid to activate the release clause in his contract with the Madrid club. 

Griezmann signs with Barça on a five-year contract with a buyout clause set at €800 million, and joins a star-studded forward line with Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Ousmane Dembélé, and Philippe Coutinho. 

Shortly after the announcement of the signing was made, Griezmann’s former club, Atletico Madrid, released a statement where they argued that Barcelona must pay a total of €200 million, rather than the “insufficient” €120 million that was paid. 

The reason for this, Atleti argue, is that the agreement that brings the French star to Barça was made before July, when the buyout clause in the contract dropped from €200 million to €120 million.

Los colchoneros also include in their argument that Griezmann announced his departure from the club on May 14, also prior to the change in price of the buyout clause. 

“Atletico Madrid believes that the amount deposited is insufficient to meet the buyout clause, since it is obvious that the commitment of the player and of Football Club Barcelona was agreed before the date that the buyout clause reduced from €200 to €120 million,” a club statement reads.

Griezmann will wear the number 17 at Barcelona, the squad number recently vacated by Jeison Murillo.