How Newcastle could solve Barcelona and Atletico Madrid transfer dispute

Updated: 24 Aug 2022 18:10 BST
3 min read

Antoine Griezmann's form at Atletico Madrid on loan from Barcelona is improving — © ProShots

Barcelona are reportedly concerned that they could miss out on a bumper fee for Antione Griezmann but the Catalan side could be thrown a lifeline through Newcastle's pursuit of Alexander Isak.

Griezmann is on loan at Atletico from Barcelona for a second successive season and Diego Simeone's side have a clause to sign Griezmann permanently for €40 million.

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However, the clause is only able to be met if Griezmann plays more than 30 minutes of football in more than 50% of games for Atletico this season.

The 31-year-old has been a 62nd minute substitute in both of Atletico's games so far, infuriating Barcelona, who believe their rivals are intentionally trying to avoid activating the clause.

Griezmann joined Atletico on a two-year loan on deadline day last summer and his loan side have been paying his wages in full during his spell.

But Atletico are willing to let Griezmann return to Barcelona due to his poor output which saw him score just three goals in 26 La Liga games last season.

As a result, the club appear to be limiting Griezmann's minutes so that the clause is not met, leaving Barcelona fuming at the potential loss of a huge transfer fee.

Why Barcelona could be helped by Newcastle

Real Sociedad are set to receive a club-record fee for striker Alexander Isak and it is believed that money could be reinvested into a sensational return to the club for Griezmann.

Sociedad have accepted a bid of €70m plus €5m in add-ons from Newcastle for Isak and the Swedish forward is on course to become the Premier League side's record signing.

With Isak being Sociedad's leading striker, the club have explored replacements and a reunion with Griezmann would be a popular choice, having come through the academy as a fan favourite before joining Atletico in 2014.

Antoine Griezmann scored his first La Liga goal since last November ❤️ pic.twitter.com/LjgJSqzgq6
— GOAL (@goal) August 16, 2022

Griezmann's poor form at Atletico combined with Barcelona's desperation for money in order to aid their financial issues could see the Frenchman's loan cut short and a move to Sociedad sanctioned.

However, a deal for Griezmann would be difficult for Sociedad and a loan could be an option but the club are also looking at the likes of Raul de Tomas from Espanyol and Memphis Depay as an alternative.