Barcelona director of football Mateu Alemany has revealed a deal has been struck to make Antoine Griezmann's loan spell at Atletico Madrid permanent.
Griezmann joined Atletico on a two-year loan deal last season, which reportedly contained a €40million purchase obligation if he played at least 30 minutes in a percentage of the team's games.
That clause has led Atletico to manage Griezmann's minutes in the season's early weeks; although the forward has appeared in all eight of Los Colchoneros' league games this campaign, he played under 30 minutes in six of those contests.
It was suggested the two LaLiga giants had reached an agreement worth €19.9million for Griezmann's services earlier this week, and Xavi intimated such reports were correct on Saturday.
Speaking at Barcelona's general assembly on Sunday, Alemany confirmed Griezmann was set to stay in Madrid, saying: "It has been closed this week.
"I think that, in my opinion, it has been important because we took away an important salary."
Alemany also discussed Barcelona's movements in the recent transfer window, in which they agreed big-money deals for the likes of Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha and Jules Kounde, as well as signing several free agents.
The Blaugrana director said those additions have brought additional quality to Camp Nou, also highlighting the importance of selling Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to Chelsea.
"Aubameyang's [sale] was an extraordinary operation, not only because economically it was good, but also because it generated fair play for us," he added.
"We have focused on renewing young players and cutting contracts for veteran players, with more than 30 years of age.
"Increasingly we have to focus on the market of players who are free. This year we have done it with [Franck] Kessie, [Andreas] Christensen, Marcos Alonso and [Hector] Bellerin, and there are many more for the future.
"On the other hand, Kounde, Raphinha and Lewandowski have given us a quality leap in the squad.
"All three have shown that they wanted to come here. Lewandowski, despite the fact that he has just turned 34, what he shows us every day is that his real age is 24 years."
Nashville SC v San Jose Earthquakes: ‘A win would change everything’ - Godoy
Anibal Godoy insists that Nashville are already looking at their game against San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday as a must-win.
Nashville have won just once in the MLS this season and sit in 14th place in the Eastern Conference after a run of four without a win.
The Earthquakes, meanwhile, are bottom of the Western Conference having lost eight of their matches and recording just one win.
Godoy is aware of how their poor start to the season could affect their playoff hopes later down the line but is confident that Nashville can turn things around.
He said: “For us, it's an important week. It's a day we have to win, or we'll start to feel the pressure from other teams as they start to separate in the table.
“This league is long but if we want to get to the playoff you have to win games early on, especially at home.”
Liverpool agree compensation deal for Slot
Liverpool and Feyenoord have reached an agreement in principle over a compensation deal for Arne Slot to become the Reds’ manager next season, according to widespread Dutch media reports.
The Dutchman is reportedly poised to take over from Jurgen Klopp, who announced in January that he would be leaving the club at the end of the campaign.
Slot led Feyenoord to their second Eredivisie title last season after taking over the club in 2021.
It is believed that he topped the list of Liverpool’s favoured candidates due to his attacking playing style and ability to develop players.
Former Liverpool midfielder, Xabi Alonso, who led Bayer Leverkusen to their first Bundesliga title, and Sporting CP’s Ruben Amorim were also reported contenders to take over from Klopp.
Slot had already confirmed his interest in managing in the Premier League, both earlier this week and previously when he was linked to Tottenham in 2023.
QPR 4-0 Leeds United: Shock loss for Farke's men seals Leicester's promotion
QPR thrashed Leeds United 4-0 in the Championship on Friday, ensuring Leicester City booked their promotion straight back to the Premier League.
Ilias Chair was the star for the Hoops as he scored the opener and assisted two more goals to ensure QPR will stay in the Championship for another season.
Lucas Andersen, Lyndon Dykes and Sam Field also got their names on the scoresheet in an emphatic win for Marti Cifuentes' side.
Leeds' heaviest defeat of the season was a huge blow in the race for an automatic promotion spot, with Ipswich Town just one point behind them in third place with two games in hand going into their away clash against Hull City on Saturday.
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