Griezmann to Barcelona: a timeline of the controversial signing
Barcelona have finally landed Antoine Griezmann despite Atletico Madrid's anger - but how did the transfer saga play out?
Atletico Madrid may be unhappy with the deal, but at long last Antoine Griezmann is a Barcelona player.
Griezmann looked set to join the Catalans last year only to announce in a televised documentary he was staying at Atletico.
But that was only part of a transfer saga that looks set to rumble on after Atletico complained Barcelona should have paid €200million for the France forward, rather than €120m.
We look back at the long road Griezmann has travelled in order to finally join Barcelona on a five-year deal.
November 2017 – rumours pick up pace
Despite a slow start to the 2017-18 season, Griezmann continued to be linked with a move away from Atletico. Diego Simeone defended his lack of form with United, Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona all said to be circling.
December 2017 – Atletico report Barca to FIFA
Soon after, it became clear Barca were at the front of the queue for Griezmann, but Atletico were already taking issue with the Catalans' transfer tactics. It came to a head when Atletico reported Barca for an alleged illegal approach. Barca's director of institutional and sporting relations Guillermo Amor had previously suggested the club's president Josep Maria Bartomeu may have met Griezmann to discuss a move.
June 2018 – La Decision
After Griezmann's goals earned Atletico Madrid the Europa League title, downing Marseille in the final, speculation over his future reached fever pitch. He seemed certain to leave for Barcelona, but in a documentary made by Gerard Pique's Kosmos production company, he announced he would instead stay. Griezmann then signed a new contract with an improved release clause of €200m.
Early 2019 – Rumours build, La Decision II?
Griezmann fired France to World Cup glory after La Decision, but rumours he was going to leave Atletico simply would not go away. And, as the end of the season neared, it was reported Griezmann had another documentary planned in which he would mull over his future once again.
July 5 – Atletico release scathing statement
After a strangely quiet few weeks, Atletico accused Barca of prompting Griezmann to break his contract. Atletico claim they learned the forward and Barca had put an agreement in place as long ago as March, when his release clause was still €200m, while the club said they had been negotiating since mid-February. Griezmann's release clause dropped to €120m on July 1.
July 7 – Griezmann misses training
The transfer rapidly gathered pace as Griezmann failed to report for the first day of pre-season training with Atletico, who opened disciplinary proceedings against the player as a result.
July 12 – Deal finally confirmed
Five days later, Griezmann is a Barcelona player after the club deposited his release clause. He put pen to paper on a five-year deal to end his stay at Atletico. But the Rojiblancos immediately released a statement announcing the club are challenging the transfer. Because Atletico claim Griezmann and Barcelona had a deal agreed before his release clause was reduced, they demand €200m – €80m more than Barca paid. The saga is not over yet.