Griezmann to join Barca after World Cup: Reports

The Atletico Madrid forward's S$323m buyout clause drops by half on July 1, says Catalan daily Sport

Jan 20, 2018 10:53 pm

Barcelona and Antoine Griezmann have reached an agreement for the France striker to switch from Atletico Madrid to the Catalan giants at the end of the season, Spanish daily Sport reported on Saturday (Jan 20).

“The Atletico Madrid forward has agreed to join Barcelona and will be under (coach) Ernesto Valverde’s orders next season,” Sport said.

The Catalan daily also pointed out that while Griezmann currently has a buyout clause of 200 million euros (S$323 million), that figure drops by half on July 1.

The No. 7 jersey, which will was worn by Arda Turan, who is now on loan with Turkey's Istanbul Basaksehir, will also be reserved for him.

Philippe Coutinho, who joined from Liverpool this month in 180-million-euro deal, will be given the No. 14 jersey worn by China-bound Javier Mascherano.

Barcelona have been scrambling to add high-quality players to their squad since Paris Saint-Germain lured Brazilian star Neymar to France in a world record signing in August.

Sport reported that it believes Griezmann’s transfer would take place after this summer’s World Cup in Russia, where he will have a key role for France, who are among the favourites.

Barcelona later issued a statement denying that they had reached a deal with Griezmann, although another Catalan daily, Mundo Deportivo, reported in December that the player’s family had lunch with the Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu to smooth the way for the transfer.

Brazilian born Spain strker Diego Costa rejoined Atletico from Chelsea in September, and has proved to be the club’s star performer since his debut two weeks ago.

Barcelona, whose star performers Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Andres Iniesta are all in their 30s, signed Ousmane Dembele from Borussia Dormund for 105 million euros last summer, but the French 20-year-old has only just returned from a hamstring injury.
– AFP