Antoine Griezmann will be one of the hottest, if not the hottest name in next summer's transfer window; fittingly, the rumor mill has been getting a solid head start on this already.
Last week we heard that the 25-year-old had ditched in agent in favor of being represented by family and friends. Meanwhile, head coach Diego Simeone has signaled his intention to leave Atletico by shortening his contract by two years. It's expected that if and when Simone leaves, Griezmann will be ready to follow suit (after several years of repeated declarations of loyalty to the Atleti cuase).
The Evening Standard are the latest to put Chelsea front and center in this upcoming transfer, claiming that the Board is ready to sanction a move, either at the full buyout (£85m) or at the buyout minus Diego Costa, but that we will need to have a top four finish secured becuase Griezmann wants Champions League football.
Sounds reasonable enough, the top four demand that is. The price tag is ludicrous, though perhaps less so with every passing minute of modern football these days ... and every passing minute of what's looking already like a career-best season from the Frenchman.
Look at that pass from Griezmann.
— KC (@KleinKenn) September 17, 2016
Messi-esque. pic.twitter.com/aNMwc44NYO