Barcelona announce Griezmann arrival from rivals Atletico Madrid

 

Barcelona have confirmed they have signed Antoine Griezmann from league rivals Atletico Madrid in a deal worth €120m (£107.6m).

 

Griezmann has put pen to paper on a five-year deal with the Spanish giants to put an end to a long-drawn out saga about his future.

 

Atletico confirmed towards the end of last season Griezmann would leave in the summer, with Barcelona his intended destination.

 

Griezmann snubbed the chance to join Barcelona 12 months ago and has reportedly agreed to take a pay-cut in order to join Ernesto Valverde’s side this summer.

 

A move to Barcelona appeared in jeopardy over the last month amid claims the players at the club want Neymar back instead of Griezmann.

 

Barcelona have waited until July to sign Griezmann due to the fact his Atletico release clause has now dropped from €200m to €120m.

 

Barcelona announce Griezmann arrival from rivals Atletico Madrid

 

Griezmann’s arrival at the Camp Nou places any plans to re-sign Neymar from Paris Saint-Germain in doubt.

 

Barcelona were already operating close to their financial threshold prior to signing Griezmann and it would require a serious fire sale in order to broker a transfer for Neymar in this window. 

 

Griezmann finished last season with 15 goals and nine assists in LaLiga, four fewer goal contributions than he managed in 2017/18.