Fansided

5 of the biggest transfer deals (so far) this summer

By Clemente Lisi

MADRID, SPAIN - JULY 8: Atletico Madrid's new transfer Portuguese Joao Felix (2nd L) and President of Atletico Madrid Club Enrique Cerezo (2nd R) pose for a photo during Felix's presentation in Madrid, Spain on July 08, 2019. Spanish club has paid 126 million to Benfica for Felix, meaning the teenager forward became the most expensive player in the clubs history. (Photo by Burak Akbulut/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN - JULY 8: Atletico Madrid's new transfer Portuguese Joao Felix (2nd L) and President of Atletico Madrid Club Enrique Cerezo (2nd R) pose for a photo during Felix's presentation in Madrid, Spain on July 08, 2019. Spanish club has paid 126 million to Benfica for Felix, meaning the teenager forward became the most expensive player in the clubs history. (Photo by Burak Akbulut/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) /
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SAITAMA, JAPAN – JULY 23: Antoine Griezmann of Barcelona looks on during the preseason friendly match between Barcelona and Chelsea at the Saitama Stadium on July 23, 2019 in Saitama, Japan. (Photo by Hiroki Watanabe/Getty Images)
SAITAMA, JAPAN – JULY 23: Antoine Griezmann of Barcelona looks on during the preseason friendly match between Barcelona and Chelsea at the Saitama Stadium on July 23, 2019 in Saitama, Japan. (Photo by Hiroki Watanabe/Getty Images) /

Antoine Griezmann (Barcelona from Atletico Madrid)

Atletico gained one potential superstar and parted ways with another. Barcelona swooped in and signed Antoine Griezmann for $133 million.

Following last season’s inability to win the Champions League, Barca hope the addition of the French international will bolster the attack. Griezmann spent five seasons at Atleti and nows what it takes to compete in La Liga. The team hopes to pair him alongside Lionel Messi, potentially making the duo one of the strongest in both La Liga and Europe.

Griezmann had said back in May that he wished to depart from Atleti. After the Catalan giants signed Griezmann, Atletico filed a complaint, saying Barcelona had not paid enough to trigger the player’s release clause. The buy-out clause had dropped starting July 1, but Atletico now claims that Griezmann’s public statements on May 14 that he was leaving the team is proof a deal was struck between the player and Barcelona much earlier.

The 28-year-old striker helped France win the World Cup last summer and his four goals made him the second-highest scorer at the tournament. He also scored 94 goals in 180 appearances for Atleti across all competitions over five seasons with Atletico Madrid.

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