Barcelona have officially announced the signing of Antoine Griezmann from Atletico Madrid, with the French forward handed a five-year deal.
According to Barcelona’s statement, the 28-year-old whose new contract contains a € 800 million buyout clause (£ 733 m) is tied to Barca until June 30, 2024.
“With his arrival at FC Barcelona, the Frenchman takes another step forward in his career with the goal of consolidating his place as one of the best players in the world,” Barcelona said in a statement.
Griezmann had announced in May that after spending five seasons in the Spanish capital, he would leave Atletico Madrid.
However, as the world is getting to terms with what might be the third most costly transfer ever, Atletico Madrid has stated that they will take legal action on the signing of Griezmann by Barcelona
The club claims that they have the right to a further € 80 m over the French player.
Atletico Madrid alleges that Barcelona signed Griezmann before the clause dropped from € 200 million to € 120 million and that they are now entitled to an additional € 80 million from Barca.
“Atlético de Madrid believes that the amount deposited is insufficient to meet its rescission clause since it is obvious that the commitment of the player and that of Football Club Barcelona was closed before the aforementioned clause was reduced from €200m to €120m.
“It was also prior to the date on which the clause was modified the communication that the player made on May 14 announcing his disengagement from the club.
“Atlético de Madrid believes that 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 he has already started the procedures he considered appropriate for the defence of his rights and interests legitimate.” the statement read.
It is thought that the price of Griezmann’s move to Barcelona is just behind that of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, who moved from Barcelona and Monaco to PSG.
