Transfer Centre

Barcelona deny any wrongdoing over Antoine Griezmann signing

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 16 July 2019

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu insists that there is "no evidence" of any wrongdoing in their pursuit of Antoine Griezmann from Atletico Madrid.

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has claimed that there is "no evidence" of any wrongdoing in his side's pursuit of Antoine Griezmann.

The Spanish champions last week confirmed that they had triggered Griezmann's £107m release clause at Atletico Madrid, and the Frenchman was unveiled at his new club on Monday.

However, shortly after Barcelona had announced the transfer Atletico claimed that they were owed an extra €80m (£72.1m) as they believe an agreement was reached as far back as March.

Griezmann's release clause only dropped to £107m on July 1, and Atletico argue that they are due the previous figure of €200m (£179m) as a deal was finalised before the start of this month.

The Madrid outfit have threatened legal action against Barcelona, but Bartomeu insists that they have done nothing wrong.

"I have spoken to them, but I do not think there is any proof, because there is no evidence of anything," Bartomeu told reporters at Griezmann's presentation.

"I understand everyone defends their interests and I've spoken to [Enrique] Cerezo [Atletico president], but I don't see that the case can evolve in a positive way for them. There's nothing.

"We contacted Griezmann after he made the video saying goodbye to the fans, there was nothing in March."

Griezmann's first appearance in a Barcelona shirt could come against Chelsea in their opening pre-season match next Tuesday.