There are reports Barcelona will finally unveil Antoine Griezmann on Thursday week (July 11) after agreeing to pay the €120 million release clause to Atlético Madrid.
According to the French sports publication L'Équipe, the La Liga champions were waiting for the release clause to drop from €200 million.
That was a stipulation written into the new five-year deal that Griezmann signed with Atlético last summer.
L'Équipe also claims that the 28-year-old striker has agreed to take a pay cut of €6 million per year and will sign a five-year deal worth €17 million annually, which will expire in 2024.
Miguel Ángel Gil Marín, Atlético's chief executive, has reportedly admitted that Barcelona began negotiations with the France international last November before reaching a preliminary agreement last March.
Los Rojiblancos are apparently unhappy with their Spanish rivals and may, for a second time, report Barcelona to FIFA.
Negotiations with a player without their club's consent are prohibited unless in the last six months of their contract.
Griezmann, who became a World Cup winner with France last year, won the Europa League in 2018 with Atlético.
He has scored 133 goals in 257 games for Los Rojiblancos since his transfer from Real Sociedad in 2014.
Antoine Griezmann could still play alongside Neymar
It is possible that he could still line out in a fearsome-looking attack line alongside Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar.
It is believed that Barcelona still haven't given up hope of taking the Brazilian striker back from Paris Saint Germain this summer.
There are a number of obstacles that could still scupper that deal, with Financial Fair Play considerations to be taken into account.
The Ligue 1 club are also reluctant to let one of their prized assets go while the 27-year-old's father, speaking to Fox Sports, was particularly cold on a deal being done.
"I’m not going to Barcelona to negotiate," said Neymar Sr. "I am in Brazil and I will stay here until we return to Paris with my son."
Neymar is currently in his homeland supporting Brazil in the Copa America after he was forced out of the squad with a foot injury.
The Samba Boys take on arch-rivals Argentina in the semi-finals in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
