Antoine Griezmann is reportedly set to end his miserable Barcelona stint by permanently joining Atletico Madrid in a €20 million deal.
According to reputed Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Antoine Griezmann is on the verge of re-joining Atletico Madrid permanently. The on-loan Barcelona attacker will likely complete the move before the summer transfer window, with Los Blancos expected to shell out €20 million for him.
Antoine Griezmann has endured a dramatic fall from grace since leaving Atletico Madrid for the first time in 2019. The French international had once been one of the shining lights for Les Bleus, particularly when they won the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Griezmann was also once one of the best players in the world before he joined Barcelona. But the move to Barcelona coincided with Griezmann’s rapid fall in stature.
The 31-year-old struggled to settle down at Camp Nou and never stamped his authority at the Catalan outfit. Griezmann’s stint with Barcelona also coincided with a period of instability at the club. But Barcelona’s decision to loan Griezmann back to Atletico Madrid last year came as a surprise.
Nonetheless, the Frenchman showed better form at Atletico Madrid in the 2021/22 season. That gave Barcelona cause for optimism to get Griezmann off their books for good. And the veteran attacker has also been keen on rejoining Atletico Madrid permanently when his loan spell ends.
Atletico Madrid and Barcelona are finally close to reach an agreement for Antoine Griezmann. Final fee will be around €20m, plus add-ons now being discussed. 🚨🇫🇷 #Atleti
The two clubs will go for this solution and won’t wait until June. Antoine, happy to stay. pic.twitter.com/GwFY5b8koL
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 5, 2022
But Griezmann has started only three of the ten games for Atletico Madrid this term, with a clause in the loan deal compelling the Colchoneros to avoid playing him for more than 30 minutes. But Atletico Madrid and Barcelona have now negotiated a reduced price tag for Griezmann.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Los Rojiblancos will shell out €20 million to sign the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner. And the reputed journalist has added that Barcelona might get him off the books before the summer transfer window.
Ending Griezmann’s forgettable stint with Barcelona should work well for all parties involved. And with Atletico Madrid getting to sign him for only €20 million, the apprehensions will end for good, thus paving the way for the player to approach the 2022 FIFA World Cup with better form.
