Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann is set to be a part of another transfer saga for the second summer in a row. Last year, he was heavily linked with a move to Manchester United. The deal did not materialse and he continued with the Spanish capital club after signing a new deal.
Since the start of this calendar year, the France international has been linked with Barcelona. Earlier reports suggested the deal was close to being completed and the player had verbally agreed to join the Catalan club.
Like United last summer, Barcelona are set to be disappointed this summer if claims from the Cadena COPE are to be believed. They report Griezmann is still “undecided about his future”, but Atletico are “optimistic an confident” their star player will sign a new deal.
Cadena COPE claims Atletico will offer Griezmann a new contract that will see him earn €23m-a-year net with the Europa League winners. This could be a blow for Ernesto Valverde’s side as they had made the forward a priority transfer target this summer.
The 27-year-old is currently part of France’s squad preparing for the 2018 World Cup, which starts on June 14th. He has already revealed that his future will be resolved before the start of the Fifa tournament in Russia.
If Barcelona sign Griezmann before the end of this month, they have to pay his €200m release clause. His clause will reduce to €100m from July 1st.
