Atletico released a strongly-worded statement on their website on Friday after Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu revealed the club's CEO had held a meeting with Atletico chief Miguel Angel Gil Marin over Griezmann. "Atletico Madrid wishes to express its strongest disapproval of the behaviour of both, especially FC Barcelona, for prompting the player to break his contractual relationship with Atletico Madrid..." the statement said. The statement added that Atletico had rejected Barca's request to negotiate a transfer fee for Griezmann rather than paying his 120-million-euro release clause. "Atletico Madrid’s response was obviously negative, as we believe that FC Barcelona and the player have disrespected Atletico Madrid and all its fans," the club said. Barcelona president Bartomeu declined to comment on the Atletico statement when asked about it on Friday at Frenkie de Jong's presentation at the Nou Camp.

Source: The Star July 05, 2019 18:57 UTC