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 French forward, 31, returned to Atletico for a second spell last season as he secured a two-year loan move.
Within the finer details of the deal was a clause which stated Atletico would have to buy Griezmann permanently for £35m if he played 30 minutes or more in over half their matches.
And as he played significantly more than that last season, Atletico have been trying to minimise his playing time so far this term to ensure they do not have to pay the fee.
Griezmann has started just two of 10 matches for Diego Simeone’s side since the summer.
He has frequently been brought on just after the 60th minute in a clear affront to the clause in the contract.
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According to Marca, the stand-off has forced Barcelona to come to a compromise.
That is for Atletico to pay Barcelona half of the £35m fee to complete the Griezmann transfer.
The World Cup winner scored 133 goals in 257 appearances during his first spell at Atletico.
He then hit the back of the net 35 times in 102 games for Barcelona, but ultimately failed to live up to his £107m price tag.
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A subsequent return to the Spanish capital saw him score eight times last season.
And despite starting just once for the club in September, he still won their Player of the Month award.
He contributed a goal and an assist across all competitions, including a last-gasp Champions League winner over Porto.
Manchester United and Juventus were both said to be interested in Griezmann, but Atletico now finally look set to complete a deal.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
