Reports that forward Antoine Griezmann is considering a move away from Atletico Madrid (L’Equipe /Mirror) is sure to ignite an absolute feeding frenzy in the summer transfer market once the 2018/19 La Liga season wraps up.
Los Rojiblancos’ exit from the Champions League at the hands of Cristiano Ronaldo and Juventus in Turin has seemingly exacerbated the situation.
Last year in a LeBron James-esque move, the France forward announced his decision to remain at the Wanda Metropolitano until 2023, in an aptly titled video called ‘La Decisione’ and simultaneously declared his love for the Madrid-based club.
But less than a year later, the 27-year-old has supposedly had a change of heart, with the long-mooted €100 million move to Spanish rivals Barcelona sure to rear its head again.
Entering his regarded prime years for his position, and with just an Europa League title to his name from his almost five years of service in the Spanish capital, a move could prove to be the next sensible ‘la decisione’ from the forward…
Griezmann was bought by Atletico Madrid from Real Sociedad back in 2014, coming mere months after his international first team call up. Since then he has made close to 250 appearances for the club and registered 130 goals, and 48 assists, as well as becoming a World Cup winner with France in 2018, a making a name for himself as one of the hottest properties on the continent.
The swapping of the red and white of Atletico for the blaugrana of Barca is being certainly being touted but Griezmann certainly would not be short of admirers over in England, in the Premier League.
At 20-time champions Manchester United, most likely in the extension of the Ole Gunnar Solskjaer renaissance, Griezmann would be reunited with France teammates Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial, in what would be no doubt the envy of clubs across Europe and a truly devastating triumvirate moving forward. With Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford also able to be called upon, it would indeed be a signing to truly propel United back up to the upper echelons.
Similar cross-town rivals Manchester City are one of the only other clubs who could afford Griezmann’s talents, and despite all their success it is incredible to note that Pep Guardiola’s side still only operate with two recognised out-and-out strikers in the squad, in Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus.
The list of superlatives to describe Aguero has been exhausted but the Argentine will turn 31-years-old before the next season kicks off. Maintaining their desired dominance and setting standards in Europe will again make it necessary for City to buy, and to buy big. There are few players bigger than Griezmann in the game at the moment.
Liverpool could do well to turn their attention in his direction. The forward three of Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane, and Mohamed Salah has reaped dividends since being assembled under manager Jurgen Klopp. Mane and Salah have become the first two African players in the club’s history to score over 40 goals.
The Reds have mounted one of their most intensive title pursuits in recent memory, going back to the summit with victory over relegation-dwellers Fulham. This has come at the expense of early exits in both the FA Cup and the League Cup, extending the fact that Liverpool so far trophyless under Klopp.
Griezmann in that triptych, either through displacement or rotation would certainly be a statement of intent on the Merseyside club’s part after a successful 2018/19 season that has garnered much acclaim.