On-loan Barcelona forward was offered to Real Sociedad, salary became an obstacle

Despite recent statements from Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone and president Enrique Cerezo, the club have had second thoughts about keeping on-loan Barcelona forward Antoine Griezmann at the Civitas Metropolitano.

The Frenchman’s wages are a burden for the Rojiblancos, who faced issues with player registration this season. On top of that, they are reluctant to shell out the mandatory €40 million fee to sign the 31-year-old permanently next summer.

As per the agreement with Barça, the Colchoneros will have to sign him permanently if he plays 45 minutes or more in 50% of the games he is available for. To avoid that, Atletico have played Griezmann for less than thirty minutes in each of the three La Liga matches this season.

The Frenchman is not entirely happy with his situation and amidst this, Mundo Deportivo is now reporting that he was offered to his former club Real Sociedad this summer.

Griezmann made his name with the Basque Country outfit before earning superstar status at Atletico Madrid and Barcelona. La Real fans have been dreaming about the forward’s return to the Anoeta and it could have materialised this summer as per the report.

Griezmann was believed to have been offered to Sociedad, who could have signed him for a fee lesser than the €40 million that Atletico Madrid have to pay Barcelona.

However, as per the report, the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner’s wages were a major obstacle in the deal going through. The 31-year-old earns around €10 million per year, which is more than thrice of what the highest-paid Real Sociedad player pockets.

So, it was simply not possible for the Basque club to accommodate such enormous wages on their payroll, thus ruling out the possible return of Griezmann.

With the transfer window almost over, Griezmann will remain at Atletico Madrid as things stand. And Barcelona are said to be relaxed over his situation despite Los Rojiblancos’ tactics to avoid paying the €40 million fee for his permanent transfer.