Antoine Griezmann Could Finally be on the Move in January or Next Summer

Clubs all across Europe have expressed their interest in signing the skillful Frenchman from Atletico Madrid, and it seems a move could finally materialize in either of the net two transfer windows. Griezmann’s current boss Diego Simeone appears to have given him the greenlight to leave the club, but we’re doubtful it will be now, during the January the transfer window.

Why is Atletico allowing him to leave?

The Frenchman currently holds a value of €80m on Transfermarkt, but the overall transfer fee for his services would probably be much higher than that, especially considering the market climate of today. When Man United were strongly rumored to be chasing Griezmann in the summer of 2016, a world-record fee was touted in the media as the only option whereby Atletico Madrid would be willing to part way with the talented forward. Online sportsbooks in Spain gave the Old Trafford side favourite odds then.

However, more than 12 months on the circumstances are different. Los Rojiblancos have moved to a brand new stadium Wanda Metropolitano just last summer, waving goodbye to their iconic ground Vicente Calderon after 51 years. And with that move comes a great deal of financial pressure to pay off the loans, making the sale of one of their marquee players a serious possibility, while his transfer fee is still high.

“Of course he can leave at some point, like Diego Costa and Arda Turan did in their day,” Diego Simeone commented. “I love watching my players grow, and if one of them tells me that they have the unique opportunity of playing for a certain team, after they did everything they could for me, like Griezmann has done, I’ll say it’s not a problem. I know that he needs to grow.”

Where could he go?

Man United? – 8/1 (9.00)

For the past two years, Griezmann has been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford, with Man United boss Jose Mourinho known to be a big admirer of the 26-year-old. Should this move materialize, he would head into action with one of his best friends – Paul Pogba.

The pair enjoy a well-documented relationship off the pitch – if their social media posts are anything to go by – which could seriously transcend to a fruitful partnership every matchday. Providers of internet betting in UK rank Man United as the most preferred destination for the 26-year-old, with Arsenal 14/1 (15.00) and Tottenham 14/1 (15.00) being viewed as secondary choices.

(source: The Sun)

(Take a look at our review about BetVictor Sportbook for more info.)

Barcelona? – 8/1 (9.00)

Ever since they have sold Neymar to PSG for a world-record fee last summer, Barcelona have been linked with Griezmann, who could replace the gaping hole on the left side of their attack. The Catalans have purchased Ousmane Dembele for a rumored €105m plus another €40m in performance related add-ons as a replaced for the Brazilian, however he’s only played 3 games before suffering a serious injury.

But most importantly of all, Griezmann has been living in Spain since 2005, when he then joined Real Sociedad’s youth ranks. So that Spanish culture is well ingrained in his DNA, which would make a transition to another Spanish side very smooth. But the problem with this transfer is that Atletico Madrid would probably be less inclined to sell him to a direct La Liga rival, making a move elsewhere more likely.

Real Madrid? – 8/1 (9.00)

We’re really doubtful Atletico Madrid would be willing to sell Griezmann to their cross-town rivals, but it remains a possibility, especially since Real Madrid seem to be having problems with their all-time goalscorer Cristiano Ronaldo, if rumours are anything to go by. Should the Portuguese depart the club, then it would significantly enhance the odds of Griezmann making a switch to the Bernabeu. Otherwise, we don’t really see this happening.