Atletico Madrid News
Atletico Madrid and Barcelona finalise Griezmann’s transfer in a deal worth €20 million
Atletico Madrid and Barcelona have officially closed the deal for the permanent transfer of Antoine Griezmann, reports SPORT.
The 31-year-old will now officially be an Atletico Madrid player moving forward, with the two clubs shaking hands on a deal worth €20 million plus another €4 million in variables.
Griezmann returned to Atletico Madrid in 2021, two years after leaving the club for Barcelona in a massive deal worth €120 million. The Frenchman, however, never got going in Catalonia and had to face a lot of criticism from fans and pundits over his underwhelming displays.
After failing to make the desired impact, Griezmann returned to Atleti last year, signing on a loan deal with a permanent purchase obligation for €40 million.
The 31-year-old did not have the most productive season last time out but has often been one of the positives for Atletico this time out, even though his game-time has been severely restricted as the Rojiblancos sought to avoid activating the €40 million buy clause.
While they were reluctant to pay that sum, there were never doubts about the fact that Diego Simeone wanted to keep Griezmann at the Civitas Metropolitano. And they have now managed to negotiate a lower fee with Barça for the transfer of the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner.
The Rojiblancos will pay a fixed fee of €20 million plus another €4 million in add-ons to acquire the services of Griezmann permanently. The Frenchman has once again agreed to a pay cut at Atletico and will be signing a contract until the summer of 2027.
With the move all done, Simeone will now be free to use Griezmann as much as he wants rather than calling him on in matches only after the hour mark.
The forward has scored three goals and set up one more in ten matches in all competitions this season. With the transfer saga now behind, Griezmann will be hoping to play regularly and build up some form and rhythm ahead of the World Cup.
Atletico Madrid News
Atletico Madrid, Chelsea contact PSG midfielder’s agent with player set to leave
Atletico Madrid and Chelsea are among the clubs that have made contact with the agent of PSG midfielder Leandro Paredes, who is set to leave this summer.
This claim comes from journalist Martin Arevalo on ESPN, who states that apart from Atletico and Chelsea, an unnamed third club have also established contact with the Argentine international’s representative.
Paredes has been on PSG’s books since January 2019, when he arrived from Zenit St. Petersburg. For a large part of his time at the French capital outfit, the midfielder had been a regular starter in the side.
However, last summer saw Paredes get shipped out on loan to Juventus. He has played 33 times for the Bianconeri this season with a return of one goal and assist apiece.
The Serie A heavyweights, who were recently hit with a 10-point deduction, have the option to purchase him permanently. But, as per the report, his relationship with manager Massimiliano Allegri is not good and a return to PSG is on the cards.
And considering that he is not in the plans back at Parc des Princes either, a permanent departure away seems set in stone for Paredes.
As such, Atletico Madrid, Chelsea, and an unnamed club have shown interest in acquiring his services by making contact with the 28-year-old World Cup winner’s agent.
With Koke entering the final phase of his career and Geoffrey Kondogbia expected to leave at the end of the season, the Rojiblancos could do with reinforcements in the centre of the park.
Paredes, who has plenty of experience at the highest level and is known for his aggressive mentality, can be a good fit into Diego Simeone’s setup at the Civitas Metropolitano.
But, with Chelsea also in the picture, things could get tricky for the Colchoneros. After all, Atleti are operating on tight finances and are looking for bargain and free transfer signings in the market with the likes of Marcus Thuram, Jordi Alba, and Raphael Guerreiro emerging as targets.
