MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 21: Antoine Griezmann of FC Barcelona reacts during the La Liga Santander match between Atletico de Madrid and FC Barcelona at Estadio Wanda Metropolitano on November 21, 2020 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Diego Souto/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
BARCELONA, SPAIN – MAY 8: (L-R) Antoine Griezmann of FC Barcelona, Koke of Atletico Madrid during the La Liga Santander match between FC Barcelona v Atletico Madrid at the Camp Nou on May 8, 2021 in Barcelona Spain (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images)
Atletico Madrid get stronger with the acquisition of Griezmann
Atletico Madrid appears to have pulled another over Barcelona as Los Colchoneros have reached a deal with the Catalan side over the loan of Antoine Griezmann.
According to Fabrizio Romano, the two sides have come to an agreement on a loan with a €40 million option to buy.
There were questions over whether the option was mandatory or not but it does appear that it’s only an option to purchase and not mandatory.
The move puts an end to a less than stellar two plus years at Barcelona for the Frenchman. He arrived two seasons ago with the Catalans paying €120 million after Griezmann rejected a move a season prior.
He never truly fit in up top with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez. With the departure of the Argentinian, it was expected that Griezmann would finally take the step forward and lead the team. The excuse he couldn’t show his best because of Messi was now out the window.
Instead, in the first three games, he’s been largely invisible with newcomer Memphis Depay taking control and outshining Griezmann in the process.
The move also represents the desperation from Barcelona in lowering the wages. They’ve only managed to strengthen a direct rival both in the Champions League and LaLiga. We all know how that worked out last season with Suarez.
Diego Simeone now has an embarrassment of riches in attack. Griezmann, Suarez and Joao Felix is potentially one of the most potent attacks in Europe. Not to mention Simeone knows how to get the best out of Griezmann.
Atletico Madrid’s strategy of waiting out Barcelona paid off in the end. Barcelona wanted to include Felix in a swap but Atletico remained firm in their insistence he not be part of a deal.
To sum up, Atletico get stronger with the addition of Griezmann and Barcelona, on paper, get weaker. Though how much is not yet known considering the Frenchman’s poor performances.
Regardless, if there was no favorite to win the league, it can easily be argued the favorites are now Atletico Madrid — even taking into account some of the business Real Madrid has done.
