The Antoine Griezmann transfer saga has been as straightforward as a roundabout.
But, according to Spanish reports from Esport3, it is close to being resolved with the forward braced to join Barcelona in the summer.
The France ace was set to leave Atletico Madrid eight months ago but refused to make the move while the Spanish side were in the midst of a transfer ban.
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But with the club now able to find a replacement, boss Diego Simeone is set to reward his loyalty by letting him make the move at the end of the season.
It is also believed that Griezmann’s arrival will be Barca’s only major signing this summer, with Brazilian prodigy Arthur – their other main target – joining a year later.
Manchester United have been heavily linked with a switch for the 26-year-old but it appears Barcelona and now the front-runners.
The forward, who grabbed a hat-trick in Atletico’s 5-2 win over Sevilla on Sunday, previously had a £175m release clause in his contract.
But the report claims that figure is set to half at the end of the campaign and Barca will waste no time in getting a deal over the line.
Spanish journalist Albert Roge, who works for Sport, tweeted: “It is closed, yes, although obviously neither of the two parties will confirm it.
“At Sport we have already been informed of the private agreement that exists between both and Griezmann will be Barca’s in the summer 100 per cent.”
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