Simeone subtly trolls Barcelona over Griezmann

Karan Tejwani

• 17 Sep 2022 08:40 CDT
• 3 min read

Diego Simeone has had a dig at Barcelona over their loan agreement for Antoine Griezmann, while speaking about the French star ahead of the Madrid derby against Real Madrid this weekend.

Atletico Madrid’s intent to not pay Barcelona’s €40 million fee for Griezmann continues, as the Frenchman continues to play off the bench, coming on in the last 30 minutes of matches.

Barcelona loaned Griezmann to Atletico Madrid at the end of the 2021 summer transfer window on a two-year deal, with an obligation to buy for €40 million, should certain conditions be met.

The conditions were that he has to appear in at least 45 minutes of 50 percent of the matches over the two-year spell, but that is now being disputed by the Blaugrana, who believe they are already entitled to the fee.

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Simeone talks about Griezmann's performances

Atletico Madrid believed those conditions have not been met as they are spread over two years, but Barcelona think otherwise, and the Blaugrana were prepared to launch a lawsuit.

It was reported that over the summer, Atletico Madrid offered Barcelona €20 million for the permanent signing of Griezmann, but Barcelona wanted the original fee set by them when the loan agreement was made.

Now, Simeone has had a jib at Barcelona ahead of the Madrid derby when he was asked about the fitness and form of the players, and what Griezmann could bring to the team.

“Oblak will be available for the derby. Morata and Joao are very good. Griezmann is very good the 30 minutes he comes on. He gives us a change of pace and hierarchy,” the Argentine coach said to the press.

Griezmann has played less than 30 minutes across all competitions this season – orders that were given to Simeone and something he was happy to align with.

They are reluctant to fork out such a big fee for a player who is approaching the older years of his career, and as a result, are happy to take a hit on team performances and quality.