Analysing Paris Saint-Germain's Reported Antoine Griezmann Interest
In an effort to strike before Chelsea Football Club, the Daily Express' Ben Jefferson reports Paris Saint-Germain have launched an initial £28.5 million bid for Atletico Madrid star Antoine Griezmann.
French outlet Le 10 Sport noted (in French) the 24-year-old forward has a buyout clause of £43 million; having been purchased last summer for £24 million—per Sky Sports—by the 2013/14 La Liga champions, Griezmann leaving after his first season of a contracted six should require more than the reported offer.
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Transfer figures notwithstanding, supposing the three-time defending French champions are indeed bidding for Griezmann, what exactly is driving PSG's interest?
Winners of a domestic treble last season and knocked out of the Champions League by eventual winners Barcelona, one could argue Les Parisiens need stability and slightly more luck heading into the 2015/16 campaign, but complacency is never a wise blueprint at the highest level of world football.
Paris Saint-Germain have numerous options at both centre-forward and winger, so one can understand why they would attempt to lowball Atletico their first time asking. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (33), Ezequiel Lavezzi (30), Edinson Cavani (28), Javier Pastore (25) and Lucas Moura (22) provide Blanc with formational freedom, so there must be something more to PSG's alleged wager.
Their inquiry likely spawns from Griezmann being French.
Despite being in Spanish football since 2005, the 24-year-old has played for Les Bleus at almost every competitive level (including last year's World Cup) and would seem—alongside Paul Pogba and Raphael Varane—the future of France's national team.
As Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva begin to finish their careers in the top flight (they turn 34 and 31 years old, respectively, next season), PSG must acquire their new talismanic, iconic figure.
Griezmann's commercial appeal, combined with his on-pitch prowess (scoring 22 goals in 37 league appearances last year), makes him a prime target for a top-tier French club with Champions League ambitions.
PSG, however, as noted by the Express' Jefferson, are not alone. Chelsea are thought to be monitoring Griezmann's situation, even though Jose Mourinho—via ESPN FC's Kevin Palmer—announced the west Londoners will not pursue his signature.
No matter how many clubs are interested in Griezmann, unless his reported £43 million buyout clause is met, Atletico Madrid hold all the power. The forward would be a terrific signing for any club in the Champions League discussion, and him being linked is not shocking, nor surprising, after a fantastic 2014/15 season.
Able to play as a centre-forward, wide-forward, winger or central-attacking midfielder, the 24-year-old Frenchman has the versatility, pace and clinical nature required for any league and every competition. While £43 million appears rather inflated, that is the entire point of buyout clauses: to ward off suitors, not necessarily to invite bids.
Diego Simeone's club are known as sellers, and have been brilliant in their transfer manoeuvring in recent seasons. Taking a £4.5 million boost is not worth losing the Frenchman's offensive output from the Madrid perspective.
The French champions, if genuine admirers, must increase their initial bid—up to Griezmann's clause—and hope Atletico are happy collecting £21.5 million on their investment from last summer.
A club can scout targets and compile all the necessary data, but if they are hesitant in opening their bank vault, scouting becomes meaningless.
Griezmann would improve PSG in his first training session; the issue becomes, though that he improves any/every club, including Atletico Madrid. Thus, prying the 24-year-old from Spanish capital to French capital is going to require cash.
Paris Saint-Germain have funds, so spending upwards of £45 million on a hopeful superstar is primarily dependent on their willingness to shock Atletico; and one might submit their ability to shock is rather substantial.
*Stats via WhoScored.com; transfer fees via Soccerbase where not noted.
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