Another summer transfer season approaches. It’s another opportunity, yet again, for Antoine Griezmann to be linked with a move away from Atletico Madrid. Although, it seems Atletico won’t let Griezmann go without a fight.
Atletico Madrid Vs. Barcelona Antoine Griezmann Transfer Drama
Atletico Madrid and Barcelona are no strangers to each other on the pitch, but now it seems they’ve taken their battles off the pitch too. Antoine Griezmann has been linked with a move to the Camp Nou for the whole season and it seemed to reach something of a boiling point recently when Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu said in an interview on Spanish radio: “I saw Griezmann one day on holiday. I haven't spoken with him this year. We have a relationship with his representative, like we have with other representatives. It was last October, it was a meeting, but nothing more. There's no need to create further speculation."
The fact that Bartomeu has come out and said publicly that he had spoken to Griezmann’s representation in October has not gone over well with the Atletico executive brass. In fact, Atletico CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin reportedly said of Barca’s intrusion: "We're fed up with Barcelona's attitude. Speaking about the future of a player with a current contract just a few days before disputing a European final is an absolute lack of respect towards Atletico Madrid and their fans."
Marin may have a point. Considering Barcelona wrapped up the title weeks ago and Atleti still has all to play for, including a spot in the Champions League, against Marseille in the Europa League final on May 16, the timing does seem rather unsporting of the Blaugrana. Maybe these are some low-key Spanish rival mind games?
Griezmann’s release clause is reduced from its current $240 million to half that, at $120 million on July 1, so Barcelona could indeed afford him. They spent five million more on Ousmane Dembele last summer, so five million less for a more experienced and proven player should be no problem for the Catalans.
But just who would make way for Griezmann up front or on the wings? We know Lionel Messi isn’t going anywhere. Luis Suarez has recently been linked with a move to PSG following declining numbers in recent seasons.
And then there’s the aforementioned young gun Dembele. He hasn’t had the best season, although it should be noted a lot of his season has been interrupted by injury. When he has played he hasn’t always impressed and is often looked at as inexperienced or nervous after he makes a poor decision or pass, though he did just score two goals on Wednesday. Maybe a compromise could be a loan move where Barca can watch him closely as he continues to develop; a smaller club in Spain is a possibility.
Either way, Griezmann could indeed be the man to bring back the luster to a Barca attack that hasn’t been quite the same since Neymar left last summer. MSG anyone?
Faded Antoine Greizmann Links to England
At this time last year Griezmann to Manchester United was all anybody was talking about. Griezmann even flirted back a couple of times, saying he was unsure if he was going to stay at Atleti and he spoke of his affection for the Red Devils and France teammate Paul Pogba. United now has Alexis Sanchez and an attack loaded with young guns who don’t even play every week, so a move to Old Trafford seems unlikely now.
Manchester City has been looking for an upgrade on the wings following the failed pursuits of Riyad Mahrez and Alexis Sanchez, although surprisingly Griezmann hasn’t been linked directly with Guardiola’s team. Maybe Guardiola’s ex-team Barca is really just inevitable after all.
Barca’s 2018-2019 attack, 100 percent MSG loaded. Our mouths are watering already.
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