Atletico Madrid confirm permanent transfer of Antoine Griezmann from Barcelona

Atletico Madrid confirmed they have agreed on a deal to sign French striker Antoine Griezmann permanently from Barcelona, on a contract until 2026.

Griezmann has been on loan at Atletico since August 2021 after a difficult spell at Camp Nou, following his 120 million euro (116.5 million dollar) move in 2019.

“Griezmann has signed a deal that links him to our club until June 30, 2026,” said Atletico in a statement.

The 2018 World Cup winner was a key figure in coach Diego Simeone’s plans last season but has largely been reduced to substitute appearances in the current campaign as Atletico tried to escape paying a reported obligatory 40 million euro purchase fee if he played over a certain number of games.

Atletico and Barcelona negotiated a new deal with Barcelona president Joan Laporta confirming the fee during the club’s members’ assembly on Sunday.

“It is for 20 million euros plus four more in variables,” said Laporta.

“There is another clause in the deal to sell the player, which is that if Atletico decide to sell him in the future they will have to pay us the difference that remains, up to the value of the 40 million which was agreed before.”

Griezmann has played 303 times for the club, scoring 144 goals, across his two stints in the capital.

He netted 35 goals in 102 appearances for Barcelona, winning the Copa del Rey there in 2021.