Antoine Griezmann has rejoined AtléticoMadrid in a shock move from Barcelona on a season’s loan with anobligation for the transfer to become permanent for €40m (£34.4m).
Griezmann previously spent five seasons withAtletico, becoming their fifth top scorer of all time. However, Barcelonaadmired him for a long time and finally managed to prise him away in 2019. Butit was a move that never worked out for either party, bringing just 35 goals.
In a club release confirming Griezmann’sdeparture, Barca confirmed that Atletico would be obligated to sign theattacker permanently.
"FC Barcelona and Atletico Madrid havereached an agreement for the loan of Antoine Griezmann for a season with theoption of a further season," the statement said.
"The Madrid club will pay the player'swages and there is a compulsory permanent transfer clause.
"FC Barcelona would like to thankAntoine Griezmann for his commitment and dedication and wishes him all the bestfor the future.
Griezmann's only major trophy with Atleticowas the 2018 Europa League, having signed for Diego Simeone's men from RealSociedad shortly after their surprise 2014 league title triumph.
He won the Copa del Rey with Barca last term,scoring the opening goal in the final against Athletic Bilbao.
But Griezmann's stay at the Camp Nou waslargely underwhelming, with the 2018 World Cup winner netting just 22 times in74 league matches for the Catalan giants.
Barcelona's difficult financial situation ledto a number of big names leaving the club over the summer – none bigger, ofcourse, than Lionel Messi, who joined PSG on a free transfer.
The club also sold Junior Firpo to LeedsUnited before seeing Ilaix Moriba join RB Leipzig and Emerson Royal move toTottenham on deadline day.
Griezmann's departure capped a difficultspell for the Blaugrana, who have been crippled by financial mismanagement.