Griezmann Disappointed By Atletico

Griezmann Disappointed By Atletico

By Max Wise

Antoine Griezmann says he is disappointed in former club Atletico Madrid’s reaction to his transfer to Spanish champions Barcelona.

Griezmann joined Barcelona on Friday after the Camp Nou outfit activated his €120m release clause but Atletico Madrid released a statement shortly after claiming the amount deposited was not enough.

Barcelona had to wait until the start of July when Griezmann’s release clause dropped from €200m to €120m before making their move but Atletico claim the Spanish champions reached an agreement with the Frenchman back in March.

"The amount deposited is insufficient to pay his release clause because it is obvious that the agreement between the club and Barcelona was done before his fee dropped from €200 to €120 million," a part of Atletico’s statement read.

Atletico Madrid are reportedly planning to report Barcelona to FIFA unless their account is imbursed with another €80m.

Speaking at his Barcelona unveiling on Sunday, Griezmann made his feelings known about the stance taken by his former club.

"Regarding Atletico, it's a pity. I went to see them on purpose so they would not be caught off guard and could prepare for the future," the player told a news conference as he was presented at the Camp Nou.

"We reached an agreement but finally it changed, it's like that, you have to accept it," he added when asked about Atletico's response.

Griezmann spent five years at Atletico Madrid after joining from Real Sociedad in the summer of 2014 and he scored 133 goals in 257 appearances, winning the Europa League, Spanish Super Cup and UEFA Super Cup in his time at the club.