Transfer Centre

Barca settle Griezmann dispute, get first refusal on five Atletico players

By Sean Wilson | 22 October 2019

Barcelona have first refusal on five Atletico Madrid players, including Saul Niguez and Jose Maria Gimenez, as part of the resolution of the Antoine Griezmann dispute.

Barcelona have settled their dispute with Atletico Madrid over the purchase of Antoine Griezmann by paying €15m (£12.9m) and receiving first refusal on five Rojiblancos players.

The France international forward moved to Barca for €120m (£103.4m) this summer, which was the player's release clause at the time.

However, Atletico insist that an agreement had been reached at an earlier date between the club and player when Griezmann's release clause stood at a significantly higher €200m (£172.3m) and insisted Barcelona should be made to pay the difference, threatening to reveal emails that proved their case.

It seems an agreement has now been reached between the two clubs, with Barcelona paying a more meagre sum and also earning themselves first refusal rights on five Atletico players, according to El Mundo.

Among those five are first-team regulars Saul Niguez and Jose Maria Gimenez, with Barcelona now to be offered the opportunity to match any bid accepted by Atletico for the pair.