Bengaluru, September 6: La Liga giants Barcelona will reportedly have to splash out around €200million on Antoine Griezmann if they wish to prise the Frenchman away from Atletico Madrid in the near future.
The French international’s €200million release clause was halved after the summer transfer window came to an end, as the Spanish capital club had agreed with him on the clause while their transfer ban was still in effect.
According to Mundo Deportivo, that has now dropped to €100million which naturally will give interested parties a boost of signing the coveted striker in 2018. This will be a great news for especially Manchester United who were extremely close to capturing the Frenchman this summer.
However, the report goes on to add that the drop in the release clause doesn’t apply to Barcelona or any other La Liga clubs, and so if the Catalan club wishes to sign the forward, they’ll still have to spend €200million to prise him away from Diego Simeone’s side.
Griezmann has established himself amongst the best in Europe thanks to his excellent record for Atletico Madrid in the past few years and is believed to be eager to try a new challenge. There is a big chance that the 26-year old might quit Vicente Calderon next summer.
The Frenchman was thought to be joining Manchester United this summer but Griezmann opted to stay at the club as they were hit by a transfer ban and the club could not have signed a replacement for him. The club are likely to be happy to let him go next summer if he wishes as a token of gratitude for his loyalty.
#EnjoyMyGame pic.twitter.com/OKD3dROQEo
— Antoine Griezmann (@AntoGriezmann) July 31, 2017