Barcelona ‘agree to sell Antoine Griezmann to Atletico Madrid for £17.5m’… just half of bizarre transfer clause

BARCELONA are reportedly set to sell Antoine Griezmann to Atletico Madrid for £17.5million – just HALF of the strange transfer clause agreed between the two clubs.

The 31-year-old French forward returned to Atletico for a second spell last season when he secured a two-year loan.

1

Among the finer details of the deal was a clause that said Atletico would have to buy Griezmann permanently for £35million if he played 30 minutes or more in more than half of his games.

And as he’s played significantly more last season, Atletico have tried to minimize his playing time so far this season to ensure they don’t have to pay the fee.

Griezmann has only started two out of ten games for Diego Simeone’s side since the summer.

He was often substituted on just after the 60th minute, which was a clear breach of the contract clause.

According to Marca, the stalemate has forced Barcelona to compromise.

It means Atletico Barcelona have to pay half of the £35m fee to complete the Griezmann transfer.

The world champion scored 133 goals in 257 appearances in his first term at Atlético.

He then found the net 35 times in 102 games for Barcelona but ultimately failed to meet his £107m asking price.

FREE BETS AND SIGN UP OFFERS – THE BEST OFFERS FOR NEW CUSTOMERS

On a subsequent return to the Spanish capital, he scored eight times last season.

And despite only making one appearance for the club in September, he still won the Player of the Month award.

He contributed a goal and an assist in all competitions, including a last-second Champions League winner against Porto.

Manchester United and Juventus are both said to be interested in Griezmann but Atletico finally seem ready to strike a deal.