Atletico Madrid report Barcelona to FIFA over Antoine Griezmann contact

Griezmann, 26, signed a new contract in the summer of 2017 after he elected to remain at Atletico following their transfer ban.

He had been expected to join Manchester United, but the new contract appeared to dampen their interest after they signed Romelu Lukaku from Everton.

His new deal lasts until 2021, and has a release clause of £100m, and there has been speculation over the weekend that Barcelona had been in contact with the French international's family.

An Atletico spokesman confirmed the club have reported Barcelona to FIFA, saying:

"Atlético Madrid have reported Barcelona for repeated contact with Griezmann and his people, contact which we are aware of.

"He is a player with a contract with Atletico Madrid and a long contract at that.”

Barcelona director Guillermo Amor hinted at talks between Griezmann's camp and Barcelona technical director, Roberto Fernandez, telling Movistar+:

“If that’s what the newspaper said, it’s possible...

“Maybe there’s been a meeting and things have advanced, although I don’t know. There’s a good understanding, maybe there have been talks.

“Rumours are inevitable in football. In the case of Griezmann, there are a lot of players we could be talking with, initiating some kind of relationship with if there’s an opportunity. We’re obliged to have contact with players. It’s something which is done.”

Atletico Madrid and Barcelona have both been hit with transer bans in the last two years.