After a dragged-out transfer move, Antoine Griezmann has finally become a Barcelona player. The Catalan giants officially confirmed the arrival of the French superstar on Friday on social media.
The Blaugrana have long been interested in the World Cup winner and even made a failed attempt to sign him last summer. The former Real Sociedad ace snubbed the offer an ended up signing an Atletico extension but his reign at Wanda Metropolitano Stadium did not last long.
Official: Barca sign Griezmann
FC Barcelona has paid the 120 million euro buyout clause to release Antoine Griezmann from Atlético Madrid.
— Blaugrana (@BlaugranaEn) July 12, 2019
He will sign for the next five seasons, through to 30 June 2024, with a buyout clause of €800M.
pic.twitter.com/qqXCXFbXXL
The 28-year-old has now put pen to paper on a five-year deal that will keep him at Camp Nou until June 2024, costing the Liga champions $135M. Furthermore, Barcelona have gone on and slapped a whopping 800 million euros buyout clause on their latest addition, which translates to just above $1BN.
The player will likely be presented at Camp Nou in the following days. As for his shirt number, there was no mention as to what the Frenchman will wear in the club's official announcement. Reports state that Griezmann will be given his preferred number seven jersey, currently held by Philippe Coutinho, which could be the final nail to the coffin for the Brazilian.
Griezmann enjoyed a fine career at Atletico
Antoine Griezmann for Atletico Madrid
— Goal (@goal) July 12, 2019
5 years
257 appearances
133 goals
50 assists
Europa League
Spanish Super Cup
UEFA Super Cup pic.twitter.com/m5f5Ivewg9
Antoine Griezmann scored 20+ goals across all competitions in every season he has spent at Atlético Madrid:
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) July 12, 2019
2014/15: 25
2015/16: 32
2016/17: 26
2017/18: 29
2018/19: 21
How many will he get at Barcelona? pic.twitter.com/GeqAAyOkY4
Antoine joins Frenkie de Jong as Valverde's second marquee addition. The forward will join Messi and Suarez in attack next season and will likely demote Dembele to the bench.
It remains unclear what this deal means for Neymar's hopes of returning to Spain. Some outlets state that the addition of Griezmann will not restrict them from resigning the world's most expensive player. However, whether the Spanish giants can afford the former Santos sensation after splashing $135M on the Frenchman.
Reaction to this transfer was as expected, with many flocking to Twitter to poke fun at Neymar. There were also a joke or two about whether Griezmann will approve playing second-fiddle to Messi. Check out the best tweets below.
Antoine Griezmann completes his move to FC Barcelona
— 3-5-2 (@TheSporTalk) July 12, 2019
Neymar right now #FCBarcelona pic.twitter.com/WDNvaMCR2v
Neymar hearing the news about griezmann ... pic.twitter.com/2X8nxrLC3X
— Hasnain (@HasnainSZN) July 12, 2019
Barcelona trying to work out how to finance a bid for Neymar after splashing the cash on Antoine Griezmann. pic.twitter.com/ausSRlkmaJ
— 360Sources (@360Sources) July 12, 2019
Neymar seeing that Barcelona have signed Griezmann even after going on strike on PSG pic.twitter.com/JPNiO4LoBG
— Waltermeechy (@Waltermeechy1) July 12, 2019
Griezmann watching the Barcelona coaching staff going through tactics that all end with 'give the ball to Messi.' pic.twitter.com/es4wUVBBag
— Damian (@FootballFact101) July 12, 2019