Antoine Griezmann to reject Chelsea transfer to stay with Atletico Madrid even if £63m release clause is triggered
Griezmann has been repeatedly linked with Chelsea but has told close friends he is happy in Madrid
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Your support makes all the difference.Antoine Griezmann is ready to disappoint Chelsea by turning down a lucrative move to the Premier League in order to remain with Atletico Madrid after informing his close friends that he is happy in the Spanish capital.
Griezmann fired Atletico to the Champions League final with a crucial away goal against German champions Bayern Munich, with the Spanish side progressing to the final on away goals to set-up a rematch of the 2013/14 final with rivals Real Madrid.
Griezmann’s form over his two seasons in Madrid has seen him emerge as one of the most lethal finishers in European football, and has caught the eye of Chelsea along with other clubs across the continent who want the 25-year-old to join them this summer.
However, according to The Telegraph, Griezmann has told friends in Madrid that he will stay with Atletico next season even if his £63m release clause is activated, with the likes of Manchester United and Manchester City also interested in the France international. Incoming City manager Pep Guardiola saw what Griezmann can do first hand during Bayern’s defeat, and with the current City side lacking firepower in their Champions League semi-final loss to Real, Griezmann had been sounded out as a possible transfer target.
Griezmann’s commitment to Atletico is believed to have come from head coach Diego Simeone’s private admission that he will remain with the La Liga club despite being linked with a Premier League move himself. Simeone has been touted as a possible replacement for Arsene Wenger at Arsenal, but with Wenger expected to remain at the club and the vacancies at Chelsea and City filled, Simeone looks set for another year at least with Atletico.
Griezmann’s current contract runs until 2020, and the report adds that the club could yet seek to extend his deal as well as improving his current salary, with his release clause also expected to increase as part of the negotiations. While Atletico suffered a major setback in their La Liga title pursuit following the weekend defeat at Levante, the club can yet make up for their Champions League final defeat when they meet city rivals Real on 28 May.
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