On the deadline day of this crazy summer transfer, a dramatic twist in turn regarding Kylian Mbappe’s move to Real Madrid was supposed to happen, but in this summer transfer, always expect the unexpected. The madness ended with World Cup winner Antoine Griezmann returning to his home – Atletico Madrid. The club that made him the star he is! The club where he is loved and respected!
With just four hours remaining to the deadline day, Real Madrid have made a late offer to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) for Mbappe, putting on the table a staggering 200m euros for the Frenchman. Despite that, Los Blancos are not optimistic about getting a deal done.
But, PSG did not give a green signal - With no deal forthcoming between Real Madrid and PSG, the French club have made another contract offer to the player of 45m euros a year. However, according to Le Parisien, Mbappe had rejected the offer and the chance to be the club's highest-paid player.
But, the World Cup winner has to spend another season in Paris and thus, the hype and excitement ended without any late drama.
Wait, let us repeat, and always expect the unexpected.
With Emerson Royal joining Tottenham Hotspur saving his self-respect and with the intent to evolve and earn more playing time, Barcelona were desperate to reinforce their forward line and for which Sevilla striker Luuk de Jong was the latest name linked to the Camp Nou. The Dutchman has already rejected a move to PSV, and Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman is a fan of his fellow countryman. And in the end, De Jong joined Barca, but the Catalans lost one of their forwards – Griezmann.
Griezmann has re-joined Atletico Madrid in a shock move from Barcelona on a season’s loan with an obligation for the transfer to become permanent for €40m (£34.4m).
The France international left Atlético for Barcelona in a €120m deal in 2019 but has failed to live up to expectations. He has scored 22 goals in 74 La Liga games for Bara.
A swap involving Joao Felix had been mooted but Barcelona instead signed Luuk de Jong from Sevilla. Griezmann spent five successful seasons at Atletico after joining from Real Sociedad, his goals return markedly better than at the Camp Nou, scoring 94 times in 180 league games. Atletico were on Tuesday night close to loaning the midfielder Saal Niguez to Chelsea.
Barcelona also sold the midfielder Ilaix Moriba to RB Leipzig for an initial €16m, with up to €6m to follow. Moriba, an 18-year-old graduate of Barcelona’s academy, broke into the first team towards the end of last season but talks to extend his contract, which expires in June, stalled.
Barcelona have been working behind the eight-ball this summer due to their perilous financial situation and this deal is in no small part a result of those restrictions.
Diego Simeone was also desperate to have the French forward back at the club, although the details of the deal remain unclear at this juncture.
It seems as though Atleti will take over Griezmann's entire salary, which has been aided by the decision to allow Saul Niguez to leave for Chelsea on loan.
A quick, modern, and versatile left-footed forward, with an eye for goal, Griezmann has been described as a "team player", and is capable of occupying several offensive positions in or behind the main attacking line, due to his technical skills, ability to drop deep and link-up play between the forwards and midfielders, or score many goals: he has been deployed as the main striker, in a central role as an attacking midfielder, or as a winger, on either flank.
Griezmann is an accurate finisher with either foot from both inside and outside the area, and is also good in the air and accurate with his head, in spite of his relatively small stature.
In addition to his ability to score and create goals, he has also been praised for his work rate, attacking movement, positional sense, and ability to interpret the game, which, combined with his pace, mobility and energy, enables him to make effective attacking runs to beat the defensive line.
Such a player seemed to have lost his touch back in Camp Nou and it was necessary for him to re-join Atletico Madrid and rediscover his lost mojo. Who else but Diego Simeone knows his boy better than those coaches in Barca – he would be extremely glad to have his boy back and surely, the La Liga champions would again be one of the strongest sides with a deadly forward line, compact midfield and defence.
Welcome back Griezmann!
Note: This article has been posted at Cricketsoccer as CSdesk on 01/09/2021 Welcome home Antoine Griezmann!
Thank You
Faisal Caesar
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