Atletico Madrid have reportedly agreed to a lower transfer fee to sign FC Barcelona attacker Antoine Griezmann, with Arsenal keeping tabs on the French international heading into the January transfer window.
According to Mundo Deportivo, the two La Liga giants are close to striking a deal that will see Barcelona lower Atletico’s obligation fee for the 31-year-old striker from €40m (£35m) to €20m (£17m) once Griezmann has played over 50% of minutes available to him this season.
Griezmann’s story this season has been well-publicised and quite the embarrassing outlook from Barcelona’s perspective, with Atletico cheating the system to paying the original £35m fee by introducing the France superstar past the hour mark of every game to beat the 50% minutes rule.
However, the attacker’s form this season has been brilliant, with Griezmann bagging three goals and an assist in all competitions with the forward’s presence on the pitch elevating the team to a level where they can go on to win matches or save themselves a draw.
Labelled as ‘dangerous’ by former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, the Gunners themselves have been linked with the Barcelona-owned superstar in recent weeks as reported by Sport. But, it now looks like Mikel Arteta’s side will miss out on the forward following this seismic update from Atletico.
Indeed, with Griezmann impressing for Atletico and the club seemingly comfortably with paying the new £17m fee for the attacker, it looks like Diego Simeone’s substitute tactics have worked out for his side, with the Madrid club no doubt more willing to play the 31-year-old beyond the bench in upcoming matches.
Atletico Madrid signing Antoine Griezmann is the ideal outcome for Arsenal
Griezmann has been through the wringer in recent years ever since his move to Barcelona, with the attacker now set to return to Atletico for good at a price that both clubs will find acceptable. And for Arsenal, there will likely be no meltdown that they missed out on the La Liga superstar.
After all, Arsenal are flying in the Premier League this season with Gabriel Jesus as their leading striker. And with Eddie Nketiah a solid back-up with the likes of Folarin Balogun coming through at the club, a 31-year-old attacker in Griezmann would have been an odd signing for Arteta, to say the least.
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