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Often the most ridiculous thing about Silly Season is that even when there are actual quotes from the relevant parties to a story, they cannot be taken completely at face value. For example:
"Griezmann is a great striker but is not within our objectives to strengthen the squad for next season. We're not interested."
-Jose Mourinho; source: Marca via Sport Witness
BOOM. Right?
Except if Chelsea were actually interested in Griezmann and were trying to negotiate behind the scenes — the wing-forward does carry a rather ridiculous buyout after all — Mourinho would most likely say the exact same thing, lest he risk giving up some leverage. Same goes for the player himself.
"I'm good at Atletico, I just arrived and I'm not a player who moves the first year. I still need to learn and know that I can do it here and get very far at Atletico. I hope I can."
"I do not know if [the Chelsea and Bayern interests are] true or not because they are rumours, I am happy at Atletico."
-Antoine Griezmann; source: Marca via Sport Witness
So, what are we to do? Do we take José's words at face value? Do we take Griezmanns words at face value? It's what I'm doing. But your mileage may vary, of course.