Report: Antoine Griezmann took 40% pay cut to leave Barcelona

Antoine Griezmann reportedly accepted a 40% pay cut in order to re-join Atletico Madrid from Barcelona during the summer transfer window.

The French international made his return to the Spanish outfit on deadline day in what is initially a season-long loan deal back to his previous club.

However, according to Goal, Griezmann had to accept a reduction in his weekly wages in order to make the deal go ahead, with Atletico not being willing to pay what he was previously earning.

The Rojiblancos do have the option to extend his contract by another year if Barcelona sign off on it during the summer, although if that happens Atletico would have to pay a fee for the loan, which has not happened for this current deal.

If the Frenchman plays at least 50% of their matches during the 2022-23 season, then the maximum fee that they will have to pay is £34m, plus add-ons to make it a permanent deal.

However, if he does not play that many games, then the club will not owe Barca anything, but he is likely to be a major feature of Diego Simeone's team.

Griezmann spent five years playing for Atletico, turning out 257 times and scoring 133 goals in the process, before making the switch to Camp Nou in 2019.