Antoine Griezmann is reportedly ready to return to Atletico Madrid, with Barcelona looking to cash in on him this summer.
According to a report by Spanish outlet El Gol Digital, Antoine Griezmann appears to be inching closer to ending his stint with Barcelona. And the French forward is keen on sealing a return to Atletico Madrid in the summer transfer window over any other suitor.
Antoine Griezmann joined Barcelona from Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2019 in what proved to be a controversial switch at the time. Two years on and the 30-year-old is yet to live up to the billing, although he did perform well in the second half of the 2020/21 season, which he ended with a tally of 20 goals and 13 assists in 51 appearances across all competitions.
However, even though there were quite a few promising signs over the course of the campaign, the French forward is likely to be shown the exit door as Barcelona attempt to balance their books. Indeed, Griezmann is now the highest earner at Camp Nou following the end of Lionel Messi’s deal, and freeing up his wages will go a long way in tying the Argentine down to a new contract.
Griezmann, though, does not have any shortage of suitors, with some of the biggest Premier League clubs hot on his trails. However, it is the links with former club Atletico Madrid that stands out the most, with Los Rojiblancos keen on sealing his return from Barcelona this summer.
In fact, Griezmann has been linked with Atletico Madrid as well as Athletic Bilbao lately, although his preference would be a return to the Wanda Metropolitano when he does leave Barcelona. And the interest from the Colchoneros makes some sense as well.
After all, the entire team was built around Griezmann when he produced by far the best football of his career to date. The 30-year-old forward can, in fact, be a replacement for Joao Felix, who has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester City following a difficult 2020/21 campaign.
As for the logistics surrounding Griezmann’s return to Atletico Madrid, the reigning La Liga champions are reportedly expected to offer a part-exchange deal involving Saul Niguez, who has recently emerged on the radar of Barcelona as well.
However, a key detail in such a deal would possibly force Atletico Madrid to pay an additional €20 million. With that in mind, it remains to be seen if Barcelona and Atleti do engage in a big transfer of such sort this summer, and if Griezmann gets his wish to return to the Wanda Metropolitano.
