Antoine Griezmann, the French forward, made a highly anticipated move to Barcelona in the summer of 2019. The transfer had been a subject of speculation for months, with both Griezmann’s former club Atletico Madrid and Barcelona fans eagerly following every update. Let’s delve into the details of this high-profile transfer and find out how much Griezmann’s move to Barcelona cost.
The Transfer Saga
The transfer saga began with Griezmann making his intentions clear to leave Atletico Madrid at the end of the 2018-2019 season. Rumors linked him with several top clubs across Europe, including Barcelona. However, Atletico Madrid initially refused to negotiate a transfer and demanded that any interested club pays Griezmann’s full release clause.
The Release Clause
Griezmann had signed a contract extension with Atletico Madrid in June 2018, which included a release clause worth €200 million ($236 million USD) until July 1st, 2019. This meant that any club wanting to sign him would have to trigger this astronomical buyout clause.
Barcelona’s Approach
Barcelona was determined to secure Griezmann’s services and started negotiating with Atletico Madrid. However, controversy surrounded their approach as it emerged that Barcelona had reportedly made contact with Griezmann before his release clause dropped from €200 million ($236 million USD) to €120 million ($141 million USD) on July 1st, 2019.
The Controversy
Atletico Madrid was unhappy with Barcelona’s actions and accused them of tapping up their player. The situation escalated further when Atletico Madrid filed an official complaint against Barcelona and Griezmann, claiming that they had reached an agreement before the release clause dropped.
The Final Deal
Despite the controversy, Griezmann’s transfer to Barcelona was eventually completed. On July 12th, 2019, Barcelona announced that they had signed Griezmann on a five-year contract. The final transfer fee agreed upon between the clubs was reportedly €120 million ($141 million USD), matching Griezmann’s reduced release clause.
Griezmann’s Contract
Griezmann’s contract with Barcelona included a release clause set at €800 million ($945 million USD). This exorbitant figure ensures that any club wanting to sign him in the future will have to pay an astronomical fee.
Conclusion
Antoine Griezmann’s move to Barcelona was undoubtedly one of the most talked-about transfers in recent years. Despite the controversy surrounding Barcelona’s approach, they managed to secure his signature for a reported fee of €120 million ($141 million USD). Only time will tell how successful Griezmann will be at his new club, but for now, fans can look forward to seeing him in the famous Blaugrana colors.