There was no secret deal forged with Barcelona, and more so, there was no huge amount that the Spanish giant had paid to Atletico Madrid. This was the statement made by club president Enrique Cerezo, who added there was nothing to talk about the Antoine Griezmann affair.
The Griezmann issue, as far as Atletico is concerned, is now a closed book, Cerezo stressed, according to AS.com.
The club president was reacting to reports that alleged Barcelona had paid Atletico €15 million for keeping silent on the Frenchman's signing, which Cerezo said is "history and water under the bridge."
In addition, Cerezo reiterated that Barcelona had not been given preferential treatment on signing up Atletico Madrid players. He dismissed the allegations that Barcelona enjoys an advantage over other clubs in recruiting up to five Atletico players.
Barcelona will need to go the same route in the club is interested in acquiring players that are part of the Atletico roster, the president clarified.
"If tomorrow, Barcelona decide they want one of our players, first they have to call to let us know - as they always have done and will continue to do," Cerezo said.
On the questions arising from the Griezmann signing, the Atletico executive insisted that the supposed extra payment is not connected with the deal on the French national, who Barcelona acquired last summer for €120 million.
"The Antoine saga has already been closed with the ridiculous fine of 300 euros from the [Spanish Football] Federation I'm not going to talk about money, but the agreement [struck between Atletico and Barcelona] has nothing to do with Griezmann. We have that same respect agreement with many more Spanish teams," Marca.com reported Cerezo as saying.
While clearing out concerns on the issue, Cerezo also assured Atletico fans that things are looking up for the club, and he promised that a title will be achieved in the ongoing season.
"I'm telling them to be calm and they will see that this year we will win something," BeSoccer.com reported the club executive as saying.
Cerezo, at the same time, called on Atletico supporters to be patient and just support Argentine Diego Simeone, who calls the shots on the club. The executive said the club board gives its full trust and support to "Cholo."
"We are delighted with him. We agree with him on everything he does and, for us, he is the one who can best coach the players we have. Cholo is the best coach in the world right now," Cerezo said.
He also made clear that Simeone's work with Atletico has the approval of the board, explaining too that "each coach has his style and everyone coaches how they see fit."
