Atletico Madrid slam Barcelona over Griezmann approach

Atletico Madrid released a statement Friday claiming Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu lied when revealing details of his club's attempt to sign Antoine Griezmann.

Bartomeu said earlier in the day that Barcelona's first meeting with Griezmann took place Thursday, which prompted Atletico's insistence that the two parties had made contact far earlier in the year.

"Atletico de Madrid learned that FC Barcelona and the player had reached an agreement in March, specifically in the days following the return match of our Champions League tie against Juventus, and that they had been negotiating the terms of the agreement since mid-February," Atletico's statement reads.

With Griezmann's lucrative release clause dropping from €200 million to €120 million as per the terms of his latest contract, Atletico is also incensed that Barcelona requested a delayed payment process for the World Cup winner's services.

"We believe that FC Barcelona and the player have disrespected Atletico de Madrid and all its fans," the statement said.

Meanwhile, the capital city side expressed its "strongest disapproval of the behavior of both, especially FC Barcelona, for prompting the player to break his contractual relationship."

Atletico instructed Griezmann to report for preseason training next weekend.