AFTER a 12-year stint with the club, Antoine Griezmann’s second spell at Atletico Madrid looks to be coming to an end, with the Frenchman reportedly close to a move.
Griezmann, 34, first joined the club in 2014, moving from Real Sociedad for a reported fee of £24m. Following a disappointing big-money move to Barcelona, having contributed 35 goals in 102 matches.
The former World Cup winner rejoined the club in 2021, initially on loan before signing permanently in July 2023.
The striker has scored 13 goals in 38 games in all competitions for Atleti this season and netted 77 goals over his second five-year stint at the club.
Griezmann’s contract is set to expire in the summer of 2027. Nevertheless, limited game time has led to rumors that the France international is rumoured to be a big fan of the North American league and wants to end his career there.
Orlando City appears to be in pole position to land the attacker, with the former Barcelona player allegedly having a release clause of €25 million in his contract.
A move to the MLS would signal a potential end in European football for Griezmann. However, with the prospect of a move to Orlando offering the star a final chance to earn a transfer fee, the 34-year-old would become the eighth most expensive player in terms of transfer fees accumulated.
With the services of the striker demanding over £205 million over his career at the highest level, the only Frenchman to sit above Griezmann is Ousmane Dembele, having accumulated €233 million.
As stars continue to flock to American, following the move of Lionel Messi, the goalscorer would be a great coup for the Lions, joining Martin Ojeda and Luis Muriel.
