Griezmann signs for Barcelona

French forward Antoine Griezmann has joined Barcelona from Atlético Madrid after the Catalan club announced they had paid his €120m (£107.6m) buyout fee.

The 28-year-old will pen to paper on a five-year contract that ties him to the Camp Nou until 2024 - although Atlético have since stated that they believe they are owed €80m more for Griezmann. They claim Griezmann agreed to join Barca prior to this month - when his buyout clause was set at €200m. Los Colchoneros released a statement announcing their intention to take the Spanish champions to court.

“Atlético de Madrid believes that the amount deposited is insufficient to meet its rescission clause, since it is obvious that the commitment of the player and that of Football Club Barcelona was closed before the aforementioned clause was reduced from €200m to €120m [on 1 July],” it read. 

“It was also prior to the date on which the clause was modified the communication that the player made on 14 May announcing his disengagement from the club.” 

Barca issue counter claim

Barcelona maintain that they only opened discussions with Griezmann on 4 July. The Catalans matched Atletico's statement with one of their own, which said:

“With his arrival at FC Barcelona, the Frenchman takes another step forward in his career with the goal of consolidating his place as one of the best players in the world."

The statement added: "Griezmann’s contract with Barça will have a buyout clause of €800m."