BREAKING: Barcelona on the alert as Antonio Griezmann makes ultimate transfer decision in latest announcement

​Antoine Griezmann’s future is this summer’s soap opera. The Atletico Madrid forward’s name is on everyone’s lips and where he will play next season remains a mystery.

However, after Frances’s win against Italy, he passed through the mixed zone and put a date on his announcement.

The Atletico Madrid star said he would resolve things before the start of the World Cup: “Yes, things will be determined before the World Cup.”

The finals in Russia start on June 14, which is less than two weeks ago. Griezmann, therefore, is expected to comment on his future soon:

Whether he will stay at Atletico or sign for Barcelona. Diario SPORT have previously revealed that there is already an agreement between the forward and Barça. 

Barça remain calm and believe Griezmann will fulfil his word and join Ernesto Valverde’s side. However, Atletico — players, staff and supporters — are pushing for him to stay at the Wanda Metropolitano.

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REVEALED! The perfect gift Antonio Griezmann handed to Athletico as he departs for Barcelona

​After so many near misses, Antoine Griezmann finally has a major trophy to celebrate at Atletico Madrid. However, his two goals on Wednesday night may turn out to be a parting gift at the end of his fourth season with the Rojiblancos.

Griezmann joined Atletico in the summer of 2014 and even though Diego Simeone's side claimed the Spanish Supercopa shortly after his arrival, the titles have dried up since then.

The French forward felt partly responsible after missing a penalty in the 2016 Champions League final against Real Madrid, which Atleti lost in a shootout. However, he has more than made up for it in this Europa League.

The 27-year-old opened the scoring in the final against Marseille on Wednesday following a dreadful error by the French defence, Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa badly miscontrolling an overhit pass by goalkeeper Steve Mandanda and allowing the Atleti forward a clear run at goal.

Having disappointed in the 2016 Champions League final and also in the Euro 2016 showpiece which France lost to Portugal later that summer, Griezmann delivered this time in a continental competition as he coolly slotted home.

And after Marseille's finest footballer Dimitri Payet had departed through injury, he produced a fine finish as he latched onto a Koke pass and chipped past Mandanda to make it 2-0 in the second half.

With that goal, he became the first French player to score a brace in a UEFA Cup/Europa League final or a European Cup/Champions League final. It also took his tally to eight in the competition this term, along with four assists, meaning he has been involved in 12 goals in total.

Atletico, despite some nervy moments at the back, went on claim their 34th clean sheet in 58 matches this season to secure a sixth piece of silverware (and second Europa League crown) in Simeone's time in charge, the win sealed by Gabi's late third goal in injury time.

Moments later, Griezmann departed to a standing ovation from Atletico's fans and was replaced by club legend Fernando Torres, who is definitely leaving the club in the summer and signs off with his first major trophy for his boyhood club.

As the final whistle went, Griezmann ran back on to the pitch with his arms aloft. But as the celebrations die down, talk will revert to his future – just as it had dominated the build-up to this match and the questions at last Wednesday's media open day at the Wanda Metropolitano.

Griezmann's release clause is set to drop to just €100 million in July and he is Barcelona's top target this summer, with Atletico already complaining about the Catalans' tactics in their pursuit of their prized player.

As things stand, he looks likely to depart for Camp Nou, but given how he pushed for Diego Costa to return and how this team has been transformed in the second half of the season, culminating in the achievement of winning a major trophy, Atleti will surely do their utmost to make sure he stays a little longer in Madrid.

"Now is not the time to talk about my future," the Frenchman said after the match. "It's time to enjoy this trophy." But he also added: "I left home at 14 years old because I wanted to win titles. This is the second after the Supercopa and hopefully there can be more."

And skipper Gabi said: "Today he showed he is focused on Atletico Madrid and let's hope he can be with us next year."  Atleti fans will hope so too, but Griezmann is clearly tempted by Barca and a tug of war lies in wait this summer.

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BREAKING: Barcelona to sanction shock sale of three star players in order to facilitate sensational Griezmann deal

​Despite still having every trophy to play for this season, Barcelona have not been shy in trying to improve the squad for next season.

In the winter window, they took two important steps with the signings of Phillipe Coutinho and Yerry Mina, and the plan going into next season is to strengthen the team with two new players.

Negotiations with Arthur are virtually all done, and the Brazilian, who will cost 30 million euros, will arrive in January 2019.

The other major goal is Antoine Griezmann.

Barcelona already thought about signing him last summer, but it was nearly impossible because of Atletico Madrid’s price of 200 million euros.

Now things have changed, as the players new contract has cut his buyout clause in half to 100m.

However, the club can only afford the Frenchman by selling other players.

The other option is to use a loan, but club hierarchy aren’t interested due to the already massive costs they face in the construction of the new stadium.

Since the market opened last July, Barcelona have spent a whopping 436m euros on transfers.

More than half was used in the transfers of Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele, meanwhile, sales have only contributed 236m to the coffers of the club.

This amount is added to the 120m the club provides in cash each year for signings, yet that leaves 80 m to balance the books.

At this time, it’s unknown who will be free to go.

One name that is easy to guess is Rafinha, who left for Internazionale, and who has a purchase option fixed at 35m euros.

After that, anything can happen.

Griezmann’s arrival does not leave much room at the front, so it’s likely that Paco Alcacer would have to assess his options.

Denis Suarez, Arda Turan, Andre Gomes and Aleix Vidal are likely to depart as well.

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BREAKING: Barcelona set to finally sign star player in the summer and have offered Andre Gomez plus cash to club

​Barcelona are considering negotiating a part-exchange deal with Atletico Madrid for striker Antoine Griezmann, Diario Gol have reported.

Midfielder Andre Gomes could be the man sacrificed in order to bring in the Frenchman in the summer.

The Portuguese international has struggled to establish himself since joining Barcelona, and was expected to follow Arda Turan, Javier Mascherano and Rafinha in leaving the club last month.

But Gomes remains in Catalonia where he faces a difficult task to convince coach Ernesto Valverde that he is worthy of regular inclusion in the first-team.

Barcelona are reportedly happy to offload the 24-year-old if it means the overall price of signing Griezmann is reduced.

The Atletico forward, who has emerged as Barcelona’s prime target, is expected to be available for €100m.

Gomes would be better suited to Atletico’s system and such a deal would also help the Blaugrana reduce their tax derivatives.

The former Valencia man has started just four games in La Liga so far this campaign, and has received criticism for his playing style when handed opportunities.

Barcelona are keen to offload players considered surplus to requirements after the big money acquisition of Phillipe Coutinho from Liverpool and ahead of a potential move for Griezmann.

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BREAKING: Done deal as Barcelona secret agreement with Antonio Griezmann is exposed... Sign or face ban!

​Antoine Girezmann was heavily linked with a move to Manchester United last summer.

And it looked highly likely that the French striker will join the Red Devils for a world record fee.

However, when Atletico Madrid discovered that the appeal against their transfer ban had been rejected, the move fell through as the Spanish club wouldn’t have been able to replace him.

And now Griezmann’s future is again up in the air after Atletico landed Diego Costa this month.

But United set to sign Alexis Sanchez, it appears they no longer need Greizmann.

It seems now that all roads are leading him to Barcelona.

The Catalan club have been heavily linked with the forward and a very interesting report has just been published by Spanish outlet Sport.

They claim that Barca and Griezmann have a ’secret pact’ for a deal next summer.

In fact, the agreement is so concrete that Griezmann would have to pay Barcelona compensation if he decides not to make the move. Similarly, Barca would have to pay Griezmann compensation if they pull out of the deal.

As so often in the modern day, the terms of the contract have been agreed with the player and the club but the transfer fee still needs to be sorted.

The Blaugrana are trying to negotiate so they don’t have to pay the full €100 million release clause but Atleti are reluctant to budge on that.

Either way, the report states that “Barcelona already has its first signing for the 2018-19 season” and that nothing can disrupt the deal.

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BREAKING: Barca not done yet as they're set to beat Man United to the signing of €100m target

​FC Barcelona and Manchester United will reportedly go head to head for a €100 million target this year, and new reports suggest how the Catalans want to beat Jose Mourinho to his signature.

Antoine Griezmann was reportedly close to signing for the Red Devils at the beginning of the season, but the potential move broke down after Atletico Madrid were banned from the transfer market and the Frenchman declared his loyalty to the club.

Recent reports suggested that the France international is demanding a massive salary at Old Trafford to snub interest from the Catalan giants, but Spanish TV programme El Larguero on Cadena SER believe that Barca will not give up that easily.

Despite signing Philippe Coutinho for a reported fee of €160 million recently, the LaLiga side are keen to make Griezmann their next high profile signing.

In order to do so, they are prepared to activate his €100 million buyout clause, and want to make him one of the highest earners at the club after Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.

Griezmann’s agents reportedly made it clear that the financial package will be key to his signature, and that the 26-year-old is keen on a five-year deal.

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