Atletico Madrid angry with Barcelona over public pursuit of Antoine Griezmann
The Frenchman has been heavily linked with a move to the Nou Camp at the end of the season
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Your support makes all the difference.Atletico Madrid say they are "fed up" with the attitude of Barcelona and their continued public pursuit of Antoine Griezmann.
The Frenchman has been heavily linked with a move to the Nou Camp at the end of the season, with growing suggestions that Barca are willing to pay his £88m release clause.
Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu said on Monday he had spoken to Griezmann's agent, while the forward Luis Suarez insisted Griezmann was not coming to the Nou Camp to force anyone out of the team.
But the Rojiblancos have grown weary of such a forward courting of their star man.
"We're fed up with Barcelona's attitude," said CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin said. "(Speaking) about the future of a player with a current contract just a few days before disputing a European final is an absolute lack of respect towards Atletico Madrid and their fans."
Marin added that Atletico, who are second in La Liga and face Olympique de Marseille in the Europa League final on May 16, told Barcelona "a few months ago" that Griezmann was not for sale and they would not negotiate.
"I let (Bartomeu) know his inappropriate conduct was against the integrity of the competition, especially as we've been competing for the title and Barcelona have been continuously pressuring one of the most important players in our squad."
Ernesto Valverde for his part chose to be less forthcoming when quizzed about the club's interest in the player.
"He's a great player, but I'm not going to talk about other players: firstly to value what we have, and secondly out of respect for another team, which is Atletico," he said in his press conference ahead of the visit of Villarreal on Wednesday.
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