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Antoine Griezmann: Atletico Madrid president sends stern message to Barcelona target
ANTOINE GRIEZMANN’s decision to leave Atletico Madrid this summer is “irreversible” according to club president Enrique Cerezo.
Atletico Madrid: Antoine Griezmann announces he is leaving
The French forward stunned fans last week by announcing that he would look to seal a move away from the Wanda Metropolitano in the summer, whilst officially handing in a transfer request.
The move came just one year on from his infamous ‘La Decision’ documentary, in which he announced he would turn down Barcelona for a new contract at Atletico.
He signed a new five-year deal to make him one of the highest paid players in La Liga after the documentary.
However, after failing to win any trophies this season and a disappointing exit from the Champions League to Juventus, Griezmann took the decision to leave.
The 28-year-old posted a message to fans on the team’s official website, but Cerezo admitted he doesn’t know if there will be any further goodbyes.
“Griezmann, I do not know if he wants to say goodbye or not, the truth is that I do not know,” he told Goal.
"The farewell depends on Griezmann, who is the one who leaves.
“If he wants to say goodbye, he will say goodbye.”
Barcelona are considered to be the frontrunners for Griezmann, ahead of Paris Saint-Germain, and Cerezo admitted there is no chance he will stay.
“It is irreversible [the decision to leave],” he continued.
“The only thing I tell him is that he has a lot of luck where he goes.
"And, that at least they treat him as we have treated him here.”
Griezmann enjoyed a successful spell in Madrid, having joined from Real Sociedad in 2014.
He scored twice in the Europa League final last year as Atletico beat Marseille 3-0 in France.
He also played in the UEFA Super Cup, featuring for an hour as Atletico trounced their arch rivals Real Madrid 4-2.