Barcelona confirm Griezmann deal with Atletico is complete as Laporta says levers 'saved the club'

• Griezmann returned on two-year loan
• Deal included a purchase option
• Barca free up space on wage bill

WHAT HAPPENED? The two clubs have renegotiated the terms of Griezmann's loan, which included a €40m (£35m/$39m) purchase option, and have now reached an agreement. Alemany has confirmed the forward will depart in a deal worth €20m (£17.5m/$19.7m) plus variables. The French forward will also take a 25 per cent pay cut to re-join Diego Simeone's side on a permanent basis. The move will free up space on the wage bill which will help Barca's ongoing financial difficulties.

WHAT THEY SAID: "Deal has been completed this week, it’s done for €20/25m depending on bonuses," Alemany told the club's Ordinary General Assembly. "It’s a massive, extraordinary deal for us because of Griezmann's salary — and same for [Philippe] Coutinho."

THE BIGGER PICTURE: The transfer follows a summer of hectic transfer activity at Camp Nou, which was financed by Barcelona's activation of a series of economic levers. President Joan Laporta also hailed the decision to sell off assets and told the General Assembly his board's financial decisions "have saved the club''.

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WHAT NEXT FOR BARCELONA? Xavi's side will move back to the top of the table in Spain on Sunday if they can beat Celta Vigo at Camp Nou.