Chelsea Transfer News: Antoine Griezmann Release Clause to Be Met, Fresh Rumours

Chelsea are reportedly prepared to trigger the £85 million release clause of Atletico Madrid striker Antoine Griezmann—as long as manager Antonio Conte seals a top-four finish in the Premier League this season.

The Blues have been fiercely linked with a move for the France international of late, and the London Evening Standard's Simon Johnson reported they'll meet his asking price if they qualify for the UEFA Champions League.

According to Johnson, Griezmann is interested in joining a Premier League outfit "either next summer or the year after that," although Arsenal, Manchester United and Manchester City are also mentioned among his suitors.

Atletico's frontman has recovered from a slow start to the season and is now among LaLiga's top scorers, having already bagged four in three appearances:

Griezmann has returned to Spain's top flight after helping guide France to the final of UEFA Euro 2016, where he netted six times in six starts for Les Bleus and continued his development as one of the continent's elite attackers.

Few could argue against the notion Griezmann has taken his production levels to the next tier since joining Los Rojiblancos in 2014, and ESPN FC's Dermot Corrigan marvelled at his growth in recent times:

People are now beginning to talk of the former Real Sociedad ace as a potential contender for the 2016 Ballon d'Or, while Chelsea are still finding their feet under Conte and have won three of their five league games this term.

Atletico manager Diego Simeone is among those who believe a Ballon d'Or credential isn't beyond Griezmann's capability, and he told the media his opinion of the striker following Saturday's 5-0 win over Sporting Gijon:

"

For me, last year Griezmann was the best player in Europe. 

I have no doubt about what I say. He reached the finals of both the Champions League and Euro 2016, scoring many goals, and scored many goals in La Liga too. The consistency he has makes him stronger.

I hope he is up there for the Ballon d'Or, as he is in great form and will get even better if he continues like this.

"

Simeone could be a major factor in Chelsea's hopes to land Griezmann, too, after it was announced on Friday that the Argentinian's contract with the Madrid giants had been reduced from 2020 to an earlier end date of June 2018.

The Blues can only hope that news causes some disruption in Atleti's changing room, and Yahoo's Andrew Gaffney agreed the English giants would be getting their hands on one of the best attackers in the world:

Chelsea have concluded business with Atletico in recent years, and the future of Spain forward Diego Costa is another potential factor in any deal, considering there may not be enough room for him and Griezmann.

Conte knows his club may have the funding needed to stage a chase for the French forward, but qualifying for Europe's elite contest appears to be a prerequisite in continuing their advances to recruit Griezmann.