Real Madrid Transfer News: Antoine Griezmann Talks Zinedine Zidane, Top Rumours
Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann has revealed he would snub an offer from Zinedine Zidane to join Real Madrid and is close to signing a new deal with his current employers.
The France international has enjoyed another tremendous campaign at the Vicente Calderon Stadium. Speaking with Canal Football Club (h/t Mark Rodden of ESPN FC), he was asked what his response would be if the Real boss asked him to join the Spanish capital’s other side.
“First of all he'd have to call,” said Griezmann. “Then I'd respond because he's a great player and a great person all the same. But I feel good at Atletico. I'm in the process of seeing about renewing my contract and we're on the right track. So I hope we can finish it.”
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Under the guidance of manager Diego Simeone, the former Real Sociedad man has blossomed into one of the most dangerous forwards on the continent.
Once a wide player, Griezmann is now at his best as a split striker, dovetailing tremendously well with Fernando Torres up top for large parts of this campaign. Bleacher Report UK provided the numbers behind a superb season:
The 25-year-old has a habit for stepping up at big moments too. Already this season he’s scored the winner at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium and the crucial away goal in the UEFA Champions League semi-final against Bayern Munich; he netted against Barcelona in the quarter-finals of the same competition.
Despite Atletico’s success, there have been stories linking Griezmann with a move away. As noted by George Bellshaw of Metro, both Chelsea and Manchester United have been touted as possible suitors.
Here’s a look at what kind of qualities he would offer:
Atletico may not carry the same kind of gravitas as Real, who will face Atletico in the Champions League final later this month. But for Griezmann, being the key attacking cog in a side challenging for major honours every season is about as good as it gets. Therefore it should be no surprise to hear he’s keen on extending his stay with Simeone’s side.
David De Gea Tipped for United Stay
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal believes David De Gea will still be a Manchester United player next season despite links to Real Madrid.
Los Blancos came close to signing De Gea last summer before a deal fell through in the late stages of the transfer window. The goalkeeper has since penned a new deal at Old Trafford and his boss thinks the Spain international is happy at the club, per Steve Millar of the Daily Star Sunday.
“You can never know but I don’t think so because he is very comfortable here,” said Van Gaal when asked if the goalkeeper might go. “He has said that many, many times, not only to me but also to his colleagues and the fans. And he’s extended his contract. But in the world of football you never know—it can always happen.”
As noted by Millar, Real have been linked with a possible £30 million summer move. De Gea has enjoyed another memorable campaign, with United’s defensive record the best in the division with one game still to play, per Squawka Football:
De Gea has been central to that and while the team would be much worse off without his exceptional goalkeeping, it’d be a big surprise if Real didn’t come back in for him.
Given United will not be playing in the Champions League next season, a move to the Bernabeu would surely appeal to De Gea too.
Los Blancos have a stopper in Keylor Navas who has excelled as the first choice this season. Despite that, De Gea would be a superstar purchase, and there is no other club in world football better versed in getting these types of deals done than Real Madrid.
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