Following Barcelona’s official announcement of the signing of Antoine Griezmann, Atletico Madrid have released a statement claiming Barcelona have not paid the complete transfer fee for the player.
Barcelona paid €120m to sign the France international after July 1, when his €200m contract release clause was slashed by a staggering €80m. But Atletico claim Barcelona and Griezmann reached a deal before this date, and that they are subsequently owed the amount of his original release clause.
Hence, Atletico Madrid have released a statement saying that Barcelona need to pay up the remaining €80m.
“Antoine Griezmann, represented by his lawyer, has appeared at the headquarters of the Professional Football League to unilaterally terminate the contract that binds the player with Atlético de Madrid, having deposited Fútbol Club Barcelona in the name and on behalf of the player the amount of €120m.
“Atlético de Madrid believes that the amount deposited is insufficient to meet its rescission clause, since it is obvious that the commitment of the player and the Football Club Barcelona was closed before the aforementioned clause was reduced from €200 to €120 million. It was also prior to the date on which the clause was modified the communication that the player made on May 14 announcing his disengagement from the club.
“Atlético de Madrid believes that the termination of the contract occurred before the end of last season due to events, acts and demonstrations carried out by the player and that is why he has already started the procedures he considered appropriate for the defense of his rights and interests legitimate.”
