Antoine Griezmann: Twitter Reacts as Barcelona Confirm the Signing of Forward From Atletico Madrid

One of the longest-running transfer sagas of the past year has finally come to a close after Barcelona announced that they have secured the signing of Antoine

One of the longest-running transfer sagas of the past year has finally come to a close after Barcelona announced that they have secured the signing of Antoine Griezmann from Atletico Madrid.

After months of negotiations, Barcelona finally agreed to pay the Frenchman's €120m release clause, offering him a five-year contract which will keep him at the club until 2024 - adding an eye-watering release clause of €800m to ward off any interest from their closest European rivals.

You were waiting for this. pic.twitter.com/vVR0Prmy0b

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) July 12, 2019

Barcelona confirmed the news on their website, adding a statement which read: "FC Barcelona has paid the 120 million euro buyout clause to release Antoine Griezmann from Atlético Madrid. The player will sign a contract with his new club for the next five seasons, through to 30 June 2024, with a buyout clause of 800 million euros.

"We will shortly be publishing the full schedule for the presentation of Antoine Griezmann as a new member of the Barça first team."

Finally...It is time!

Antoine Griezmann is a Barcelona player! 🦁👑 pic.twitter.com/dK2VeYx6AK

— 90min (@90min_Football) July 12, 2019

Due the on-going nature of the transfer saga, plenty reacted to the news on Twitter with a sense of relief rather than excitement...

Thank sweet bejesus Antoine Griezmann has finally moved. So bored of the guy.

— Scott Saunders (@__scottsaunders) July 12, 2019

Griezmann signs a five-year deal at Barça and release clause is €800m. Presentation this weekend. Who saw that transfer coming!?

— Samuel Marsden (@samuelmarsden) July 12, 2019

The over-the-top nature of Griezmann's frankly absurd release clause didn't go unnoticed either, as everyone unanimously agreed that Barca may be going a little overboard in this instance.

Barca paid Griezmann 120 million release clause then slapped a 800 million release clause on em 😭He ain’t going nowhere

— Diamond (@WeBeHoopin) July 12, 2019

Barca whacking an €800m release clause on Griezmann pic.twitter.com/5JJGKWNknw

— Joe (@joemarcov) July 12, 2019

800 million euros buyout clause, it's safe to say Griezmann will retire at Barcelona.

— El capitan (@Adogajnr1) July 12, 2019

While Griezmann's future has been decided, attention now turns to Neymar, whose potential return to Barcelona now looks to be in jeopardy. 

Barcelona have been linked with a potential move for their former player, but the Griezmann deal could throw a spanner in the works...or not. This is Barcelona after all.

Griezmann to Barcelona surely scuppers Neymar move. Or, as someone connected tells me: "Unsettled him. Made PSG say he can go. Then leave him there. Genius, even if not intended."

— Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) July 12, 2019