Barcelona worried about Griezmann transfer situation with Atletico

Antoine Griezmann has been a substitute in each of Atletico Madrid's first two LaLiga games. The Frenchman played for 30 minutes against Villarreal at the weekend and 30 minutes in the first match of the campaign at Getafe, when he scored.

Griezmann's consecutive cameos off the bench are reason for concern at Barcelona, where they believe Diego Simeone has received orders not to start the forward. Therefore, Atletico will not be obliged to execute the €40 million buy clause at the end of the season.

Griezmann left Barça for Atletico last summer. He returned to the Rojiblanco on a two year loan with a clause to make the move permanent in 2023.

However, for Atletico to have to buy him for €40m next summer, he has to play 45 minutes or more in 50% of the games he is available for.

THE FEAR

Last season, he was available for 37 games in total and in 30 of them he played the minimum amount of minutes -- that is to say 45 minutes or more in 81% of the games he was selectable for.

However, Atletico Madrid have financial problems of their own and Barça fear benching Griezmann is a strategic move to reduce the percentage of game in which he plays over 45 minutes. That way, they will not be obliged to pay €40m next summer.