Atletico Madrid News
Official: Antoine Griezmann joins Atletico Madrid from Barcelona on a four-year deal
After months of negotiations and a brief legal battle, Atletico Madrid and FC Barcelona have finally come to terms, reaching an agreement over the permanent sale of Antoine Griezmann.
The Frenchman, who was on loan at Wanda Metropolitano until 2023, is set to join Atleti on a permanent deal. He has signed a four-year contract which expires in the summer of 2026.
Although Atletico Madrid are yet to provide any further details regarding the negotiations, Barcelona bosses have been confirming the agreement for a few days, now Xavi notably wishing the player luck for his future endeavours.
We're thrilled to announce that Antoine Griezmann has signed a permanent contract until 2026! ❤️🤍 pic.twitter.com/H7B7Gsyreo
— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) October 10, 2022
Barça president Joan Laporta had also recently offered details on Griezmann’s sale, suggesting that the club are set to earn €20 million from the deal, along with €4 million add-on fees.
Atletico, for the part, will be happy with the deal as they have been campaigning for Barcelona to lower their €40 million buyout clause on Griezmann’s loan deal.
Although a figure of €20 million is quite significant, it is half of what Los Colchoneros were supposed to pay at the end of the season.
Griezmann’s permanent move to Atletico Madrid will see the attacker appear more often in the first team. With the tricky October schedule coming up, the Frenchman’s services could play a key role in dictating Atleti’s fate over the next four weeks.
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.
