Griezmann can leave if Atletico Madrid ‘release clause is met’

Joe Williams

Diego Simeone has revealed that Atletico Madrid winger Antoine Griezmann will be able to leave the club if his release clause is met.

The Atletico star has been linked with Manchester United over the past couple of years and the rumour has grown in recent months with reports suggesting he could be United’s number one target.

It is reported that Griezmann has a release clause of €100 million (£86.4m) but the official figure has not been made public.

The France international has scored 22 goals in 40 appearances this season and came third behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in the latest Ballon d’Or.

When asked if Griezmann could leave in the summer, Simeone replied to AS: “Yes, because there is a termination clause. There is no security.”

On whether Griezmann’s decision to stay last summer was down to the Atletico boss, Simeone said: “Well, that’s what he told me: ‘If you stay, I’ll stay.’

“And I said yes, that how I was not going to stay.

“And they began to work with the representatives for everything that had to be signed. And he stayed.

“And from now on I do not know what can happen. The best thing that happens to the team is going to be, without doubt, better for the great players.

“Because the great players want to play the Champions League and compete until the end, and Griezmann is a great player.

“And he would never let me tell him to stay. I did not do it with Costa or Falcao.

“To the players who have given me life I accompany them in the decisions that they make. But it is clear that whenever he stays, the team and the club will continue to grow.”