Earlier this transfer season, Atletico Madrid confirmed Antoine Griezmann has asked to leave the club, and he was subsequently linked with Barcelona.
‘Griezmann yes’ is splashed on the front page of today’s edition of Mundo Deportivo.
The World Cup winner had an agreement to join Barca last summer, but he decided against it, and continued with Diego Simeone’s side during the 2018/19 season.
After offering himself to the Spanish champions, he’s aware that a move to Camp Nou will force him to take a pay cut.
The 28-year-old’s release clause will drop from €200m to €120m from July 1st, and that’s when it’s thought Barca will approach.
On May 18th, Sport reported the Barcelona dressing room had sent a message to president Josep Maria Bartomeu not to to sign the player, a year after the forward turned down the chance to join the club.
Despite these claims of pressure from the fans and the dressing room, the technical leaders at Barca view the France international’s signing as a ‘market opportunity’, which is why they have maintained interest in Griezmann.
This is because the attacker knows the league very well, has a good goal-scoring record and sacrifices himself to help his side with defensive tasks.
A few players in the squad believe Griezmann’s arrival could ease the work load from Lionel Messi, especially in the Champions League.
So far, the fans don’t see the player’s arrival with good eyes.
Griezmann, on the other hand, is waiting patiently for July 1st for his release clause to drop, with Barcelona as a priority.
