ATLETICO MADRID AND France striker Antoine Griezmann delivered on his threat and failed to show up for the club’s pre-season gathering on Sunday, a club spokesman told AFP.
“Griezmann had an official summons to be at the club at 20.30 this Sunday and when he did not present himself, we opened a file and will study the case,” said the spokesman.
Griezmann, a Barcelona target, had already said he would not turn up, Madrid sports daily Marca reported on Saturday, with Atletico then telling AFP that “it changes nothing”.
“He us under contract with our club until 2023 and must resume training tomorrow like all the other players,” they added.
On Sunday evening, the club tweeted pictures of players arriving at Los Angeles de San Rafael where Atletico traditionally hold their pre-season training, including recent record signing Joao Felix, a teenage Portuguese striker.
Griezmann announced in May that he would be leaving Atletico but could not reveal his destination until his release clause dropped from €200 million to €120 million on 1 July.
On Friday, Atletico accused Barcelona and Griezmann of a “lack of respect” after the Catalan giants’ president Josep Maria Bartomeu revealed that the two clubs had held talks about the France international.
Atletico confirmed that they had held a meeting on Thursday, at Barca’s behest, to discuss a deal for World Cup winner Griezmann at the lower price.
They also said Griezmann had told them he struck a deal with Barcelona in March.
Griezmann joined Atletico from Real Sociedad in 2014 and has scored 133 goals in 257 appearances.
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If his goal really is to win another champions league (that’s obviously not going to happen at United in what’s left of his career) then what genuine competitor for the tournament could afford him and more importantly actually want him?
@Gareth Keenan: i think he just wants to keep playing in the champions league, not necessarily win it again. Maybe he should consider an immediate loan spell with Rovers and help us push through to the group stages of it.
@Kevin: there’s a thought!
@Kevin: that would be some story, I can see it now…
Big Cristiano fan throughout the years but surely even he must recognise that the equation probably won’t add up the way he wants it too.
Big money + competitive champions league team + automatic starter in every game.is not realistic in my view.
He could probably find some good situations where he can get 2 of the 3.
Will be interested too see what happens. As a utd fan too I think that he might have to find a bit more humility I’d he is to stay relevant in ETH’s plans. Still great on his day.
Even with this Dr Evil demand level of money, with his level of skill even at this stage in his career the Saudi League would be like if he rocked up to an adults five a side match in the park on a Sunday. He’d be richer than rich but no way would he be satisfied professionally
Wants to leave but doesn’t want to go to any club who wants him
He Doesn’t need the money. Surprised someone like PSG didn’t go for him.