He’s been flirting with Barcelona and Manchester United
Antoine Griezmann has been one of the most wanted attackers among Europe’s elite clubs for a while now. On many occasions, the Frenchman has fluttered his eyelashes at the likes of Barcelona, who are keen to bring him to the Camp Nou.
However one should not underestimate his commitment to Atlético Madrid. When the club were sanctioned with a transfer ban, Griezmann agreed to stay for another year out of a sense of duty to the club that had elevated him to his current level, as they would not have been able to replace him.
During the club’s final home game of the season, he was subject to whistles from the crowd, who assumed he would be on his way out of the club this summer. His reaction said it all, as he wiped tears from his eyes as he was substituted off. Diego Godín had a word with the fans, who promptly changed their tune and cheered Griezmann from that moment on. What was said remains a mystery.
Griezmann could still be on his way out this summer, especially if he has a good World Cup, in which France are expected to reach the latter stages. But it remains up to him. Barça and Manchester United will both be willing to trigger his release clause, thought to be around €200m, at which point it will be his decision to make.
Speaking to German media outlet spox.com, Griezmann said “I’m thinking about it, I still haven’t decided.”
He did however say that a decision will be made before the World Cup.
The forward also mentioned that winning the Champions League is still an obsession for him and the club. “I’ve always wanted to win the Champions League since I was a kid, it’s always been my main objective”, he said.
He came agonisingly close to winning the Champions League with Atlético in 2016, but lost on penalties to city rivals Real Madrid. Griezmann missed a penalty in normal time in that game, a moment which he admits he “couldn’t get out of his head for weeks.”
Atlético failed miserably in this year’s Champions League, crashing out in the group stage but made up for that disappointment by lifting the Europa League in Lyon.
