A few days ago Antoine Griezmann’s return to Atlético Madrid from Barcelona was finalised. The move was reported to cost 20 million euros plus an additional four variables that should be simple to obtain because the rojiblanco club will be required to pay them if it advances through the group stage in the same competition and qualifies for the Champions League. An operation that has drawn criticism from a variety of perspectives because the initial estimate for the transfer agreement was 40 million and has since been cut in half.
Antoine Griezmann’s return to Atlético Madrid costed 20 million euros
But because of the savings it produces, Mateu Alemany’s operation is a complete success for Barcelona. It started with the striker’s move in the summer of 2021. And it has finally come to an end with the player’s sale. The three seasons left on the Frenchman’s contract when he left the Camp Nou resulted in wage bill savings for the Barça club of over 125 million. The secret to the first two was avoiding paying a chip of $35,000,000 annually. He hasn’t received any payment from Barça since leaving for Atlético.
Football player’s transfer and salary release made it possible to sign players. Like Ferran, Aubameyang, or Adama Traoré in the most recent winter market. Additionally, the club’s ability to sign all of the hired reinforcements has been influenced by the present campaign.
The 23/24 season’s icing is created. When a player is sold, the amortisation of their transfer is added to the price in addition to the token, which they are not responsible for paying. There must be an additional 23 million dollars added to the 35 million, which is roughly how much needed to be amortised. This translates to an almost 60 million euro decrease in the 23/24 season’s pay budget. Without taking into account the impact of the Griezmann procedure. The wage mass would be over 650 million euros, falling below 600.
The quickness with which the transaction was carried out has been another crucial factor. Barcelona wanted to end it before the World Cup because the striker profited from the pressure to play. Atlético and the player might have decided not to meet the necessary financial requirements. To complete the purchase operation after the World Cup was done. Barcelona believed this, which is why the deal with the colchoneros was hastened.
