Will Antoine Griezmann leave Atletico Madrid this summer?

Atletico Madrid and France forward Antoine Griezmann has become a player constantly linked with moves elsewhere. Reports earlier this year suggested that Griezmann regretted signing a new deal with Atletico last summer and that he wanted to move on this summer.

There are now fresh rumours doing the rounds that Manchester United and Barcelona are both interested in signing the Frenchman. However, there are reports from elsewhere that claim that Griezmann is no longer a target for Barcelona. It is hard to know what to believe.

Griezmann will not win the big trophies at Atletico

Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone has done an excellent job keeping Los Rojiblancos competitive against Spain’s so-called ‘big two’ of Barcelona and Real Madrid. They famously broke up their monopoly on the Spanish title in 2014.

They also got to two Champions League finals, where they suffered heart-breaking defeats against Real Madrid. This season the men from the Spanish capital are second in La Liga but are ten points behind league leaders Barcelona and odds of 40/1 to win the title.

In short, Atletico are not going to win La Liga, well not this season at least. Barcelona are the dominant force in the Spanish top-flight and it is hard to see Simeone’s team challenging the Catalan giants in the near future. The return of Zinedine Zidane to arch-rivals Real Madrid is also likely to see Los Blancos strengthen majorly this summer.

Griezmann could stay at Atletico beyond the summer. However, at 28 years of age, time is running out for the French striker to win trophies and silverware in the club game.

Barcelona and Manchester United frontrunners for the striker

Media reports claim that if Griezmann this leave the club from Madrid this summer, then as previously mentioned that Barcelona and Manchester United are the favourites to sign the striker.

The Manchester United hierarchy are reportedly ready to back boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer heavily in the transfer market this summer. The Norwegian is believed to be a big fan of the striker, although the Frenchman had also previously been linked with a move to United.

The Red Devils already have the likes of Romelu Lukaku, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial in their attacking ranks. However, Griezmann would be a good signing for any team looking to challenge at the top of the football tree once again.

Barcelona are constantly looking to improve and evolve. Media reports suggest that the Catalan giants are actively searching for a long-term replacement for Uruguayan international Luis Suarez. It seems that Griezmann is near the top of the list of potential replacements for the former Liverpool star. He would certainly be a viable replacement for Suarez that’s for sure.

Griezmann’s future unknown

The player himself has recently stated that he is fed up of talking about his future. However, the forward has also not ruled out a summer exit either, which has been construed by some that he has not made up his mind on his future just yet.

France teammate Samuel Umtiti stated during the international break that Griezmann was happy in Madrid. However, there is a feeling that the forward may well move on in the near future if the right offer comes along of course.

Will Antoine Griezmann leave Atletico Madrid this summer?