In the Copa del Rey final
©IMAGO
This article was first published on February 27th and was revised with new information on March 5th.
Antoine Griezmann will most likely leave Atlético Madrid for the USA before the end of the season – the French newspaper “L’Équipe” reported this last week. According to a current “ESPN” report, the 34-year-old has put an early move on hold.
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According to the US TV channel, the reason for this is the fact that the Rojiblancos reached the final of the Copa del Rey. Griezmann is striving for a title again with the club, for which he has played 483 competitive games since 2014 with interruptions to date. He had only won the Copa once in 2021 with FC Barcelona. According to the report, Atlético is also very interested in keeping the Frenchman until the end of the season and giving him the best possible farewell – ideally with a cup win. This has been deposited with the player in the past few days.
“L’Équipe” reported last week that Griezmann’s move to Orlando City SC was already nearing completion. Due to concessions in the past, the Colchoneros are likely to clear the way for the veteran despite his contract running until 2027 without an exit clause.
Griezmann only extended his contract with Atlético early last summer. An exit clause for 25 million euros was previously part of the working paper, but was apparently subsequently deleted. Nevertheless, the attacker has the change more or less in his own hands, wrote “L’Équipe”. There has been a gentlemen’s agreement between the player and the club for a long time that Griezmann can decide the time of his departure himself.
The reason for this is the financial advantages that the left-footer gave his employer in the past. In addition to the whopping transfer profit of 88 million euros that Atlético made with the sale to FC Barcelona in 2019 and the return campaign two years later (loan fee plus transfer fee), it is also about the salary waiver when returning to the capital.
It was previously unclear whether Griezmann would like to move to the MLS in the transfer window, which is open in the USA until March 26th, or whether he would only dare to move overseas in the summer. Last week it was said that the 2018 world champion was aiming for a move as quickly as possible in order to have a better chance of taking a place as a designated player with his new employer. A status that allows you to receive a salary above the league-wide cap. The intention to change was brought to the attention of the club management and coach Diego Simeone.
In the current season, Griezmann’s sporting influence at Atlético has declined significantly. In LaLiga he was only in the starting line-up six times. With a market value of 11 million euros, he would be the most valuable signing in Orlando City’s history; if he changes, the contract should run until the end of 2028.
