Atletico Madrid reportedly want to take Antoine Griezmann back from Barcelona, with Diego Simeone keen on a reunion this summer.
According to reputed Spanish journalist Eduardo Inda, Atletico Madrid are eager to re-sign Antoine Griezmann from Barcelona in the summer transfer widow. The request for the Frenchman’s return to Wanda Metropolitano comes straight from the manager Diego Simeone, who wants a reunion ahead of the 2021/22 season.
Griezmann previously spent five years with Atletico Madrid before joining Barcelona in the summer of 2019. During this aforementioned half-a-decade, the French international established himself as one of the best players in the world and was the single-most influential figure for Los Rojiblancos.
As for the move to Barcelona, the controversial switch from Atletico Madrid initially did not work out for the 30-year-old, but he has turned his fortunes around since the turn of the year and is now enjoying a productive 2020/21 campaign. Indeed, a return of 19 goals and 12 assists in 48 outings in all competitions is quite impressive.
His revival in the second half of the season has also meant that speculation surrounding his future at Camp Nou has slowly disappeared away. However, it was not too long ago that Griezmann was linked with the likes of Juventus and PSG, mostly as part of a deal including a player who was being targeted by Barcelona.
Now, though, it appears unlikely that Barcelona will let Griezmann leave despite the fact that they are targeting forwards like Harry Kane, Lautaro Martinez and Erling Haaland, among others. But, having said that, Griezmann’s upturn in form seems to have attracted former club Atletico Madrid, with Diego Simeone requesting his return to Wanda Metropolitano.
A move for Griezmann does make sense for the Colchoneros, considering Luis Suarez is not a long-term solution in attack while Joao Felix has blown hot and cold. Therefore, a player like Griezmann would be the ideal signing for Atletico Madrid, seeing as the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner is already well-versed with the environs at Wanda Metropolitano.
That being said, it will be interesting to see if Barcelona are ready to even entertain the idea of parting ways with Griezmann, let alone sell him to a direct rival. For now, it seems as if the 30-year-old is on the radar of Atletico Madrid for a move in the summer transfer window.