Barcelona worried about Griezmann’s minutes, believe it’s a tactic from Atletico

A recent report from Diario SPORT has shed some light on Antoine Griezmann’s situation at Atletico Madrid.

The French international has struggled to live up to the expectations after his return to Wanda Metropolitano. He has failed to provide the x-factor going forward and as such, Atletico Madrid are apprehensive about signing him on a permanent deal in 2023.

Griezmann initially returned to Atletico last summer in a two-year loan deal. The contract includes a mandatory purchase option of €40 million if the attacker plays 50% of the available matches.

Atletico Madrid, though, are not too keen on paying €40 million for the striker who has largely struggled to offer anything substantial going forward.

The club are hoping to lower the valuation. But as per the report, Barcelona fear that Los Colchoneros could utilise the loophole in Griezmann’s contract that entails the forward has to play a minimum of 45 minutes in order to count as matches.

While the former Real Sociedad starlet had appeared in 81% of the matches last season, coach Diego Simeone has used him on a far less regular basis this season. He is yet to even start in the club’s first two La Liga matches of the season, even though he scored a goal against Getafe.

Should Atletico continue the policy, there is a possibility they can avoid paying the mandatory €40 million buyout clause. However, we are in the month of August and it is far too early to deduce what the future holds for Griezmann in the coming season.

It will not be surprising to see Atleti utilise the Frenchman more and more as the season progresses. At the same time, Barcelona could be forced to negotiate next year even if the attacker plays the desired quota of matches for the capital club at the end of the season.