Atletico Madrid striker WON’T be moving in January
Atletico Madrid star Antoine Griezmann has dealt Chelsea a massive transfer blow by confirming his intentions to stay put in Spain for the remainder of the season.
It’s well reported that Chelsea want to bring the Frenchman to Stamford Bridge in the New Year, with controversial striker Diego Costa possibly going in the opposite direction and rejoining Atletico Madrid.
However, speaking about his future in a recent interview, Griezmann has confirmed that he has no plans on leaving Spain and is very happy with life at Atletico.
Griezmann Happy
“I do not feel the need to play in Ligue 1, nor in the Premier League or in Serie A,” Griezmann said on the Canal Football Club.
“I am in Spain – I’m happy. Life here, football, I like it all.”
The 24-year-old has a contract at Atletico until 2020 after joining Diego Simeone‘s side from La Liga rivals Real Sociedad.
Chelsea Factor
Despite Griezmann confirming his happiness at Atletico, a Spanish expert has revealed that the Frenchman wouldn’t be put off Chelsea even if they didn’t have Champions League football.
Terry Gibson said:Â “I do not think a move [for Griezmann] does depend on Chelsea finishing in the top four.
“If you were Griezmann and in any way interested in going to the Premier League, then you would still look upon a club like Chelsea as an attractive proposition.
“Similar to when a lot of people made that assumption when Manchester United did not qualify for the Champions League whether they could attract the players.
“But if a club is willing to pay the transfer fee and the wages, then the reputation of a big club like Manchester United or Chelsea does mean that players will go to those sort of clubs and risk not being in the Champions League hoping it is just for the one season.
“It is being talked about a lot and from the outside there is surely a swap there with Griezmann and Diego Costa somewhere along the line.
“But I do not expect that to happen in January as that does not suit either club, because if they are both in the Champions League then they will have a player they cannot use. So Griezmann will stay put until the summer. ”
Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt
