Madrid: Barcelona and Antoine Griezmann have reached an agreement for the France striker to switch from Atletico Madrid to the Catalan giants at the end of the season, Spanish daily Sport reported on Saturday.

“The Atletico Madrid forward has agreed to join Barcelona and will be under (coach) Ernesto Valverde’s orders next season,” Sport said.

The Catalan daily also points out that while Griezmann currently has a buyout clause of 200 million euros ($240 million), that figure drops by half on July 1.

Barcelona have been scrambling to add high-quality players to their squad since Paris Saint Germain lured Brazilian star Neymar to France in a world record signing in August.

Philippe Coutinho joined from Liverpool this month in 180-million-euro ($220 million) deal.

The newspaper says it believes Griezmann’s transfer would take place after this summer’s World Cup in Russia, where he will have a key role for France, who are among the favourites.

Another Catalan daily, Mundo Deportivo, reported in December that the player’s family had lunch with the Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu to smooth the way for the transfer.

Brazilian born Spain strker Diego Costa joined Atletico from Chelsea in September, and has proved to be the club’s star performer since his debut two weeks ago.

‘Neymar loved by all’

Under-pressure Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane on Saturday described Neymar, a rumoured transfer target for the European champions, as a “great player who everyone loves”.

Madrid are the Spanish champions and have won the past two Champions Leagues, but lie fourth in La Liga 19 points behind bitter rivals Barcelona.

The Spanish sports press reported in November that Madrid would make a shock move for Neymar next summer.

Asked at a press conference if Neymar might one day play for Real, Zidane said he didn’t talk about other teams’ players before praising the winger who joined Paris Saint Germain in August.

“This is a player who has charmed everyone, the whole football world. He is a great player,” said Zidane.

Madrid fans will get a chance to judge for themselves as Paris and Real meet in the Champions League last-16 in February and March.

Agence France-Presse