Atletico Madrid to fine Antoine Griezmann over breach-of-contract before Barcelona transfer

Atletico Madrid have opened disciplinary proceedings against Antoine Griezmann following his continued absence from the club’s preseason training.

Even though the French international publicly announced his departure from the Wanda Metropolitano almost two months ago, he had to report for training as he is still under contract. However, Griezmann’s refusal to join Diego Simeone’s squad at the Majadahonda headquarters on Sunday evening as well as not travelling to San Rafael de los Angeles with the team has forced the club to issue a fine against him.

The 28-year old is currently awaiting an official offer from Barcelona after he announced his exit from Atletico Madrid at the end of last season. The La Liga champions, however, are stalling the process of activating Griezmann’s €120m release clause which has not gone down well with the Atletico Madrid board. 

In a public statement, Los Rojiblancos attacked Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu and their handling of the forward’s transfer negotiations by claiming it as a “lack of respect”. Barcelona reportedly wanted to pay the transfer fee in installments, which Atletico Madrid vehemently denied.

Spanish outlet AS have now stated that Antoine Griezmann and his lawyer are planning to buy out his own contract to get a deal through as soon as possible. As a result, the striker’s representatives will pay the amount of the release clause at the La Liga headquarters within the next 24 hours and Barcelona will make the move official before the end of this week. 

It is now inevitable that the back-to-back Spanish champions will acquire their marquee signing of the summer in the form of Antoine Griezmann. However, the bitter rivalry between the two clubs has intensified due to this painstaking transfer saga.