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Atletico Madrid FINALLY start Antoine Griezmann, after bringing him off the bench in EVERY game this season to avoid triggering £35m clause in his loan deal… but club are ‘close to agreement on cut-price £22m transfer’ with Barcelona
- Antoine Griezmann has started for Atletico Madrid for the first time this season
- Atletico wanted to avoid triggering a £35m purchase clause in his loan deal
- Club said to have ‘agreed’ a cut-price deal with Barcelona worth £22million
- The French striker had been restricted to half-hour sub appearances so far
Antoine Griezmann has started for Atletico Madrid for the first time this season in Sunday night’s clash with rivals Real Madrid at the Wanda Metropolitano.
The French striker had been restricted to substitute appearances so far this season, as Atletico looked to avoid paying Barcelona a £35m fee, which they have to if he exceeds 50 per game time during his loan spell at the club.
However, after reports in L’Equipe suggested an agreement had been reached between the two clubs on a cut-price transfer, Griezmann will make his first start for the club in the big Madrid derby.
Antoine Griezmann has started his first game of the season tonight against Real Madrid
The 31-year-old’s seven appearances in LaLiga this season have all come after the 60th minute, and Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone has strongly hinted that the restrictions have come from the hierarchy at the club.
Griezmann has still managed to score three times across those games, but will be relieved that he can now finally complete a full ninety minutes as he looks to secure his place in France’s squad ahead of November’s World Cup.
Barcelona had dug their heels in to try and recoup the full £35m for the striker, but are now happy to accept the reduced fee as the cash-strapped club look to recoup some money for their unwanted stars.
Diego Simeone has only be able to use Griezmann as a sub after 60 minutes so far this season
Tensions between the two clubs had become strained over the transfer, and have only been communicating through the player’s lawyer Sevan Karian, who has served as a mediator over the deal.
It has been thought that Griezmann would have to wait until after the international break to get his first start of the season, but the agreement looks to have included Sunday’s meeting with Real Madrid.
Atletico went into the game looking to be the first side to take points off Carlo Ancelotti’s men this season. Real have won five out of five so far this campaign and a win would see them leapfrog Barcelona at the top of the table.
Despite not being able to start a game, Griezmann has still managed to net three goals
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