Antoine Griezmann transfer: Forward tells Atletico Madrid he will leave as Barcelona wait in wings

Atletico tweeted on Tuesday evening that Griezmann had told them he would be moving on, and Barcelona are prepared to pay his €104m (£90m) release clause

Antoine Griezmann has told Atletico Madrid he will leave the club this summer, with Barcelona his likely destination.

Atletico tweeted on Tuesday evening that Griezmann had told them he would be moving on, and Barcelona are prepared to pay his €104m (£90m) release clause, which comes into effect on 1 July.

Griezmann spent several months considering his future last year before eventually agreeing a new five-year contract with Atletico, but after a frustrating season in which Diego Simeone’s side failed to challenge in La Liga, the World Cup winner is now set to depart.

“It has been five incredible years, thank you very much for everything,” said Griezmann in a video posted on social media to Atletico supporters. “I carry you in my heart.

“After speaking with [Diego Simeone] ... and the club hierarchy, I wanted to speak with you, the fans, who have always given me a lot of love, to tell you I have taken the decision to leave, to see other things, to have other challenges.

“The truth is it has been difficult to take this route, but it is what I feel I need and I would like to thank all of you for the love you have shown me during these five years.”