Griezmann weighing up Chelsea interest - report

The Antoine Griezmann rumours continue. Chelsea are apparently chasing the Atlético Madrid star (never heard of us buying from Atléti before!), as has been reported more or less everywhere over the past week. And now we're hearing that the interest is mutual.

The Telegraph claim that Griezmann, who's scored 22 goals in 34 league games so far this season, is 'keen' on a move to Stamford Bridge, and that he's refusing to sign a new deal with Atléti until he works out whether a summer transfer to Chelsea is feasible. Griezmann, like every other footballer who plays in Spain, has a buyout in his contract, and his club are trying to get him to agree to a new contract in order to raise it.

How important is this development? My guess is 'not very'. Because of the way buyout clauses interact with taxes, hostile approach from Chelsea would cost the Blues a lot more than the £43 million buyout clause in Griezmann's deal, and it's difficult to imagine that Atléti are that concerned about someone being willing to spend £50 million plus in picking the 24-year-old up. But that Griezmann himself is keen on a move is at the very least of some interest to Blues fans.

Verdict: Let's wait and see.