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Barcelona : Bartomeu’s statements contradicted by Atlético CEO

By Chiranjib Ghosh

MADRID, SPAIN - MAY 04: Miguel Angel Gil Marin during the 'Tecnologia Y Deporte' Forum in Madrid on May 4, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Samuel de Roman/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN - MAY 04: Miguel Angel Gil Marin during the 'Tecnologia Y Deporte' Forum in Madrid on May 4, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Samuel de Roman/Getty Images) /
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The Griezmann deal is getting messier by the day

MADRID, SPAIN – MAY 03: Antoine Griezmann of Atletico Madrid celebrates their victory at the end of the UEFA Europa League semi final return match between Atletico Madrid and Arsenal at Wanda Metropolitano Stadium on May 03, 2018 in Madrid, Spain.(Photo by Burak Akbulut/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN – MAY 03: Antoine Griezmann of Atletico Madrid celebrates their victory at the end of the UEFA Europa League semi final return match between Atletico Madrid and Arsenal at Wanda Metropolitano Stadium on May 03, 2018 in Madrid, Spain.(Photo by Burak Akbulut/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) /

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has publicly admitted that the club is targeting Antoine Griezmann as the marquee signing in the summer transfer window. In his statement, he said that the club was on good terms with Atlético Madrid despite of the rumours.

But his statement has been contradicted by Atlético CEO Gil Marín. Marín condemned Barça’s repeated attempts to contact Antoine Griezmann and his agent despite Atlético’s warning that the Frenchman was not for sale.

"In an official club statement, Marín said, “We’re fed up with Barcelona’s attitude. That a president, player and a board member speak the way they’ve done about the future of a player with an existing contract and just a few days before disputing a European final, is an absolute lack of respect towards Atlético Madrid and its fans.Atlético de Madrid’s stance is very clear and has been made public on numerous occasions. Not once have we negotiated for Griezmann nor do we have any intention to do so. A few months ago, I personally expressed to Barcelona’s president that our player isn’t for sale nor are we going to sell him. At the same time, I let him know that his inappropriate conduct was against the integrity of the competition, especially since we’ve been competing for the league title throughout the season and Barcelona have been continuously pressuring one of the most relevant players from our squad.I also told him in that moment, that in the chance the player exercised his right to nullify his contract due to their pressure throughout the season that Atlético de Madrid would demand Barcelona compensation for their inappropriate behavior.”"

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This brings into question the credibility of the Barcelona board, and its president, who has been under pressure since the beginning of the season. Earlier, Barça shared a very cordial relationship with the Atlético board, having engaged in business often.

But this makes the relationship between the two clubs bitter, which is not a good thing for future deals. It is also unethical for the club to go against another club, when that has sent public warnings and submitted a complaint to FIFA.

Of course, Antoine Griezmann would be an excellent signing. He would be a very good addition to the squad. But considering that signing him would be an easy operation, the club should have taken a more cautious approach.

But despite this fact, Barcelona have informed Atlético of their intent, with Josep Maria Bartomeu communicating Barça’s intention of paying Griezmann’s €100 million release clause to his Atlético counterpart Enrique Cerezo.

Next: 3 talking points ahead of Barcelona vs Villarreal

Reportedly, Antoine Griezmann also informed Cerezo of his decision to leave Atlético at the end of the season. The deal will be finalised before the start of the World Cup in Russia.

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