What clause will force Atletico to buy Griezmann from Barcelona?
Stefan Bienkowski
- 7 Sep 2021 12:19 CDT
- 5 min read
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has confirmed that Atletico Madrid will be obliged to pay the €40 million transfer fee for Antoine Griezmann if the player reaches certain goals this season.
The French striker returned to the capital side in the final days of the summer transfer window, just two years after moving to Barcelona from Atletico for €120 million.
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Diego Simeone’s side have re-signed the striker on an initial loan and at the time of the deal being struck, news emerged of seemingly contradictory clauses in the deal.
Apparently, Atletico would have the option to extend the loan to a further year at the end of this season but also had some form of obligation to sign Griezmann too.
However, the Barcelona president has now clarified that Atletico will need to pay the €40m fee if Griezmann plays a certain number of games for the Spanish club.
“Atletico's option to buy will be activated if he plays 50% of the games that he is available for,” he said, per Diario AS.
Why did Barca sell Griezmann?
Following the unexpected departure of Lionel Messi, Griezmann marked a summer of strict, financial restriction from Barcelona as they desperately looked to lower their salary bill ahead of the new season.
And while the France international was by no means a complete disaster, having scored 35 goals and bagged a further 17 in 102 appearances for the club, he did represent the next highest earner in Ronald Koeman’s team and his departure should offer more breathing space for the club’s accountants.
“We hoped for a lot from him, but he has given his all,” added the Barcelona president.
“He never had a bad attitude. I have sent him a message wishing him the best personally and professionally.
“In football terms, he wasn't a player that we needed. He was important in the Copa."
