Real Football Man All of the Football, All of the time
In a week where Atletico Madrid were rocked by the decision that their transfer ban has been upheld they will at least end these seven days with something to celebrate. That is because their star French international Antoine Griezmann has committed his future to the club.
Griezmann was the subject of heavy interest from Manchester United over the course of the season but the Old Trafford club said themselves this week that they were changing their focus in regards to transfer targets with Gareth Bale now believed to be their number one target.
So with United now out of the running in regards to capturing the signature of the former Real Sociedad player it also meant that Griezmann was staying in the Spanish capital by default. The news of his continued stay will no doubt be pleasing but it was already as good as confirmed by the time Jose Mourinho diverted his attention elsewhere.
That is because the 26 year old has a £85m buyout clause attached to his contract and there were only ever going to be a select amount of clubs that would consider that outlay and with United taking themselves out of the race to acquire his services the list of suitors had shrunk to none.
Griezmann is contracted to Atletico to 2020 and his presence next season will be very much welcomed what with his current club having a block on their transfer activity until January 2018. With no one coming in the last thing they needed was their star players walking away.
It is that decision by CAS (Court of Arbitration in Sport) which has scuppered the move of Alexander Lacazette from Lyon, Lacazette was all set to make the move from Ligue 1 but he is not prepared to be inactive until the turn of the next year.
So Atletico will still be able to purchase players but they will have the hard sell in which to do so what with no one being able to be registered until 2018. That is going to be a massive blow to any title hopes for next season but at least they have Antoine Griezmann still among their ranks.
