OFFICIAL: Antoine Griezmann has told Atletico Madrid he will leave the club at the end of the season

Antoine Griezmann has confirmed he is leaving Atletico Madrid this summer.

A two-minute video message was posted on Atletico’s official Twitter account on Tuesday evening in which Griezmann confirmed Saturday’s clash with Levante would be his last.

“It’s been an incredible five years; Thank you very much for everything, I take you in the heart,” Griezmann said.

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The Frenchman has been the subject of intense transfer speculation with Barcelona expected to try and sign him for the second straight summer.

According to Reports, Griezmann held a meeting with manager Diego Simeone and chief executive Mguel Angel Gil Marin to communicate his decision and open the door for him to make the switch to the Nou Camp.

Griezmann was targeted by Barcelona last summer and made a high-profile decision to commit his future to Atletico Madrid.

His release clause rose to €200m to fend off Barcelona’s interest – but the deal included a clause which will see that figure drop to €120m on July 1.

Griezmann was said to be frustrated when Madrid were knocked out of the Champions League by Juventus after a Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick and reports surfaced he was again considering his future at the Wanda Metropolitano.

Manager Simeone has expressed his belief Griezmann would stay but he will now have to search for a new talisman.

Barcelona suffered their own Champions League failure at the hands of Liverpool in the semi-finals and want Griezmann as
a central figure of their revamp, eventually being the successor to ageing Lionel Messi.

He has been linked to Manchester United , but reports in Spain suggest the World Cup winner has made his decision with a move to Barcelona in mind.

United’s failure to qualify for the Champions League also means Griezmann is almost certainly out of reach as he eyes a fresh challenge in his career.

READ: Lionel Messi left behind at Anfield by Barcelona team bus after loss to Liverpool