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Barcelona sign Antoine Griezmann from La Liga rivals Atletico Madrid

Dan Childs analyses the Frenchman's big money move to the Camp Nou

Antoine Griezmann has been on Barcelona's radar for some time
Antoine Griezmann has been on Barcelona's radar for some timeCredit: Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno

Real Madrid have been making some bold moves in the market but have probably been eclipsed by rivals Barcelona, who have added Antoine Griezmann to arguably the most potent attack in world football.

Griezmann's move to Camp Nou had been on the cards since May when he announced his intention to leave Atletico Madrid and Barca were happy to meet the €120million release clause for the player.

Griezmann has signed a five-year-contract with the Catalans which includes an astronomical €800m release clause.

Barca racked up 90 league goals last season, 27 more than Real who were the league's second highest scorers.

Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez were to the forefront, achieving league tallies of 36 and 21, but both are entering the twilight of their careers and that would have been on the minds of Barca as they contemplated their summer transfer strategy.

How Griezmann fits into the side will be intriguing.

His pace and movement was ideally suited to the counter-attacking method at Atletico Madrid - where he scored 133 goals in 256 appearances - but he must get used to a totally different set-up and style in Catalonia.

Griezmann will probably be asked to play more in a wider position and his arrival looks like bad news for Ousmane Dembele, who scored eight goals in 29 league appearances last season.

Patience with Dembele appears to be running out as Barca seek an immediate return to the pinnacle of European football.

Their Champions League semi-final loss to Liverpool was hard to take and Griezmann's arrival is just part of a summer rebuild which has seen Brazilian goalkeeper Neto and Dutch midfielder Frenkie De Jong seal moves to the La Liga champions.

However, conquering the continent is difficult and, even with Griezmann's arrival, Barca are 6-1 second favourites in the Champions League betting, behind 9-2 shots Manchester City.

Barcelona are still 8-11 to win the 2019-20 La Liga, with rivals Real a 6-4 chance.


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Dan ChildsRacing Post Sport

Published on 12 July 2019inFootball tips

Last updated 19:59, 12 July 2019

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