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Antoine Griezmann informed Atletico Madrid that he will leave this summer. Sources confirmed to ESPN FC that Barcelona hoped to sign it less than a year after its refusal.
Atletico issued a brief statement on Tuesday saying Griezmann had announced his decision to leave the club after five seasons. They followed that by post a video of the French attacker on social media explain his decision to the supporters.
"After talking with [coach Diego Simeone], [CEO Miguel] Angel Gil Marin and with the members of the club hierarchy, I wanted to talk to you fans, "said Griezmann. You always showed me a lot of love and I wanted to be the first to tell you that I made the decision to go out and see other things and meet other challenges.
"It was a difficult path to take, but that's what I need, thank you for everything during these fantastic five years, when I was able to win my first big trophies. I will always remember, you, the followers will always be in my heart. "
ESPN FC announced for the first time in March that Griezmann, 28, wanted to leave Atletico at the end of the season. It had been offered to a number of the biggest European clubs, including Barca, although the Catalans did not initially want to reopen the talks after refusing after the events of last summer.
Barca thought he had signed a contract to sign Griezmann before the World Cup and was caught unawares when shortly before the start of the tournament in Russia he had released a documentary called "The Decision", which concluded with his future at Atletico . He then signed a new agreement at Wanda Metropolitano.
However, Griezmann has had a turnaround since and Barca, after many debates in the board of directors, have also changed their minds since the possibility of signing it was rebroadcast in March.
Griezmann scored 133 goals in 256 games in all competitions in five seasons. His 126 goals in the Liga (goals and assists) in this period are fourth in La Liga, behind Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Griezmann has won three titles in five seasons with Atleti: the Europa League 2017-2018, the 2018 UEFA Super Cup and the 2014 Spanish Super Cup. He also missed a penalty in the final defeat against Real Madrid in UEFA Champions League 2016.
President Josep Maria Bartomeu told ESPN FC last month that there was no discomfort with Griezmann about the documentary that he called "water." under the bridge". Since then, the Barca has made Griezmann, along with the defender of Ajax Matthijs of Ligt, one of their main goals for the summer.
The humiliating defeat of Liverpool against Liverpool last week further reinforced the club's view of the need to add fresh blood to an aging team.
Griezmann, meanwhile, saw Atletico stagnate. They are on track to finish second in the La Liga but have been disappointed in the Champions League and Copa del Rey. His closest ally in the team, Diego Godin, also announced last week that he would leave on the expiry of his contract in the summer. Griezmann cried at Godin's press conference.
Sources told ESPN FC that Griezmann had not told Atletico where he would move, but told them he would file his release clause with the league in early July. Its current clause is 200 million euros, but it will fall to 120 million euros on July 1st.
Barca could try to negotiate an agreement with Atletico, but sources close to the club said the Spanish champions were reluctant to open talks before July, when the Griezmann clause would drop, rojiblanco reported them to FIFA for taking an illegal approach to Griezmann at the end of 2017.
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