Transfer Centre

Antoine Griezmann release clause 'to drop by almost £70m'

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 19 March 2019

Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann's release clause will reportedly drop by almost £70m on July 1, alerting the likes of Barcelona and Manchester United.

The release clause in the contract of Atletico Madrid striker Antoine Griezmann will reportedly drop by almost £70m this summer.

Griezmann put pen to paper on a new five-year deal with La Rojiblancos last summer after rejecting a move to Barcelona, with his current terms keeping him at the club until 2023 with a release clause of €200m (£171m).

However, AS reports that Griezmann insisted on that clause falling to €120m (£103m) as of July 1, 2019, putting a number of Europe's top clubs on high alert.

The World Cup winner is understood to regret his decision to turn down Barcelona last summer and has reportedly even apologised to the Spanish champions in the hope that they will rekindle their interest.

Barca are not thought to be considering a return for Griezmann, but Manchester United have also been heavily linked in the past and are now considered the frontrunners for his signature.

United are hopeful that the presence of international teammates Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial will help lure the 27-year-old to Old Trafford, with Griezmann reportedly dismayed by Atletico's Champions League last-16 exit at the hands of Juventus.