Antoine Griezmann’s former agent has claimed that negotiations between the player and Barcelona started early – which could cost the La Liga champions an extra 80 million EUR.
Eric Olhats, Griezmann’s former agent claims Barcelona stars including Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez were involved in calling the French star to convince him to sign for the club.
Olhats – who is currently employed by Atletico Madrid – has reportedly confirmed Miguel Angel Gil, the club’s CEO, has proof negotiations between the French international and Barcelona started before Griezmann’s buyout clause dropped from 200 million EUR to 120 million EUR on 1st July.
In an interview Olhats said: “The negotiations were not carried out in the right moment”.
This could have serious financial repercussions for Barcelona as they will have to pay an additional 80 million EUR (72.83 million GBP) for the breach of contract which stipulated the player was not open to negotiation talks until after 30th June.
Olhats claims Lionel Messi called Griezmann once while fellow Barcelona stars Luis Suarez and Pique also called several times before Barcelona contacted the player directly ahead of a Champions League match against Juventus in February.
This comes several months before the player’s buyout clause dropped. If proven true, Barcelona will have to pay the extra 80 million EUR on top of the 120 million EUR (109.24 million GBP) they already paid.
Eric Olhats expressed his thoughts over the player’s exit, saying: “I understand that you want to do other things after five seasons at the same club. But that does not stop me from believing in his sincere esteem for Atletico.
“Antoine is not a bad guy. It is just simply that when he advances he does not look back. He forgets people that no longer form part of his background”.
The former agent finished by suggesting Griezmann should give thought to his “amnesia”.
Eric Olhats is known for discovering Griezmann after the player was rejected by several teams in France before he first brought him to Spain at 13 years of age.
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Story By: Juan Mayes, Sub-Editor: Conor Sheils, Agency: Golder’s News And Sport
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