After five years at Atletico Madrid, Antoine Griezmann will finally leave the club this summer. The Frenchman had flirted with a transfer in each of the past two summers, but ultimately decided to stay in the Spanish capital on those occasions.
However, he announced this week that he would not return to Atletico next season. A €120million release clause in his contract will become active on July 1st, a fee that will not put off potential suitors.
While tentative links had emerged linking Griezmann with a few different clubs, it is widely expected he will join Barcelona this summer. He came very close to doing so last year, only to have a change of hearts at the final moment.
He would then announce his decision to stay in Madrid via drawn out tv documentary, mimicking LeBron James' infamous The Decision tv special in which the NBA star announced his decision to join the Miami Heat.
There have been rumours that the 28-year old was actually planning another documentary to announce his decision to leave, but the club quashed any such notions.
While many it was assumed that it was a foregone conclusion that the striker would join Barcelona this summer, it appears there may be certain roadblocks to complicate the deal.
Spanish outlet SPORT are reporting that the Barcelona players have informed the club that they do not want Griezmann to join the squad. It is believed their animosity stems from his actions last summer, when he led the club on a wild goose chase only to publicly humiliate them with his documentary.
Many feel he disrespected the club with his actions, and are unsure of how he would fit in their dressing room as result. This is believed to be the first time players have gone to the club with such concerns about a potential signing.
It also appears that the Barcelona fans are not all keen on the move. A poll carried out by SPORT showed that 67% of Barca fans were against the transfer, while the player was also jeered and whistled at during Atletico's recent visit to the Camp Nou.
Maybe this one is not as nailed on as we all assumed it was?
