Griezmann tells Atletico Madrid he is leaving workforce
Sam Marsden
Moises Llorens
Antoine Griezmann has knowledgeable Atletico Madrid that he’ll go away this summer season, with sources confirming to ESPN FC that Barcelona are hopeful of signing him lower than one 12 months after he turned them down.
Atletico launched a brief assertion Tuesday revealing that Griezmann had communicated his determination to go away the membership after 5 seasons. They adopted that up by posting a video of the French ahead on social media explaining his determination to supporters.
“After talking with [coach Diego Simeone], [CEO Miguel] Angel Gil Marin and with individuals within the membership’s hierarchy, I needed to talk with you, the followers,” Griezmann stated. “You’ve gotten all the time proven me numerous love and I needed to be the primary to inform you that I’ve taken the choice to go away to see different issues and tackle different challenges.
“It has been a troublesome path to take, nevertheless it’s what I really feel I would like. Thanks for the whole lot throughout 5 unbelievable years right here, the place I used to be capable of win my first huge trophies. There have been some unbelievable moments that I’ll all the time bear in mind. You, the supporters, will all the time be in my coronary heart.”
ESPN FC first reported in March that Griezmann, 28, needed to go away Atletico on the finish of the season. He had been provided to quite a lot of Europe’s greatest golf equipment, together with Barca, though the Catalans weren’t initially all in favour of reopening talks to signal him after he turned them down after final summer season’s occasions.
Antoine Griezmann has notified Atletico Madrid that he’ll transfer on this summer season. High quality Sport Photographs/Getty Photographs
Barca thought they’d a deal in place to signal Griezmann earlier than the World Cup and had been caught off guard when, days earlier than the event started in Russia, he launched a documentary known as “The Determination,” which ended with him committing his future to Atletico. He later signed a brand new deal on the Wanda Metropolitano.
Nonetheless, Griezmann has had a change of coronary heart since then and Barca, after a lot debate among the many board, have additionally modified their minds since the potential of signing him re-aired in March.
FC Exclusives
Griezmann scored a team-leading 133 objectives in 256 video games throughout all competitions in 5 seasons for the membership. His 126 La Liga purpose involvements (objectives and assists) in that span are fourth in La Liga behind Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Griezmann gained three titles in his 5 seasons with Atleti: the 2017-18 Europa League, 2018 UEFA Tremendous Cup and 2014 Spanish Tremendous Cup. He additionally missed a penalty within the 2016 UEFA Champions League remaining penalty-shootout loss to Actual Madrid.
President Josep Maria Bartomeu advised ESPN FC final month that there have been no unhealthy emotions with Griezmann over the documentary, which he labeled “water below the bridge.” Barca have since made Griezmann, together with Ajax defender Matthijs de Ligt, one in every of their important targets for the summer season.
The humiliating Champions League loss to Liverpool final week additional enhanced the membership’s opinion that they should add recent blood to an getting older squad.
Griezmann, in the meantime, has seen Atletico stagnate. They’re on target to complete second in La Liga however got here up brief within the Champions League and the Copa del Rey. His closest ally within the squad, Diego Godin, additionally introduced final week that he would depart when his contract expires in the summertime. Griezmann cried at Godin’s goodbye information convention.
Sources have advised ESPN FC that Atletico weren’t knowledgeable by Griezmann the place he’ll transfer, however he did inform them he’ll deposit his launch clause with the league initially of July. His present clause is €200 million, however it’s going to drop to €120 million on July 1.
Barca might attempt to negotiate a take care of Atletico, however sources near the membership have stated the Spanish champions stay reluctant to open talks earlier than July when Griezmann’s clause dips, because of the reality the Rojiblanco reported them to FIFA for making an unlawful method to Griezmann on the finish of 2017.