Atletico Madrid have filed a complaint against Barcelona to FIFA over an alleged illegal approach of striker Antoine Griezmann, according to reports in Spain.
The French striker signed with the La Liga club in June but has been heavily linked with a move to Barcelona in the recent months.
The Frenchman has made a slow start this season with seven goals to his name from 19 appearances for Atletico in all competitions this season, but has been linked with a move away from the La Liga club – with Man Utd and Barcelona showing huge interest in securing his services.
Griezmann was heavily linked with a move to Manchester United during the summer transfer window.
However, a potential deal broke down due to Atletico Madrid’s transfer ban, which left the La Liga club unable to rope in a replacement.
And Griezmann announced during that time that he would stay put at Atletico as the La Liga club could not sign a replacement due to transfer embargo.
Recent reports claim that the French star is set to part ways with Atletico in 2018, with Man Utd still linked with a move for the striker.
La Liga giants Barcelona are also interested in roping in the Frenchman and it is being said that they they have already agreed personal terms with the striker.
According to French outlet Le 10 Sport, Griezmann has agreed contract terms offered by Barcelona ahead of a potential mega-money move next summer.
Rumours this week have claimed that Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu had held talks with Griezmann’s sister and parents about a potential switch to the Nou Camp.
And Barcelona’s director of sporting relations Guillermo Amor refused to rule out such claims, saying: “If Bartomeu met with Griezmann’s family as the newspapers say, then there may well have been an approach.
“Though, I don’t know anything for sure.
“There is a good relationship, there can also be comfortable conversations. Rumours are inevitable in the football world.
“In Griezmann’s case there are many people we talk to; it’s our obligation to have contact with players.”
And according to Spanish newspaper Marca, Atletico, who are second in the La Liga table – just six points behind the Catalan giants, have now filed a complaint as they believe that Barcelona have made an illegal approach to Griezmann in an attempt to destabilise their La Liga campaign.
Griezmann has been told that he will be allowed to leave the club if he wants to make a move away to test new waters.
Last week, Atletico boss Diego Simeone said that he would let Griezmann part ways with the club if he requests for a switch.
“Of course he can leave at some point, like Diego Costa and Arda Turan did in their day,” Simeone told L’Equipe.
“I love watching my players grow, and if one of them tells me that they have the unique opportunity of playing for a certain team, after they did everything they could for me, like Griezmann has done, I’ll say it’s not a problem.
“I know that he needs to grow.”
