Atletico Madrid News
Atletico Madrid ask Griezmann to drop wages to €4 million to make transfer feasible
When Antoine Griezmann left Barcelona to join Atletico Madrid on loan last year, the forward accepted a €4 million pay cut, which meant his annual salary dropped from €16 million (net) to €12 million.
However, following their troubles in registering players this past summer, the 31-year-old had to agree to drop more of his salary, with the Frenchman currently now earning €6 million per year at Atletico Madrid.
Now, MARCA is reporting that Los Rojiblancos have once again asked the French international to accept another salary cut so that his permanent move to the Civitas Metropolitano next summer would be feasible.
As per the report, Atletico Madrid are already in negotiations with Barcelona over reducing Griezmann’s transfer fees. The Colchoneros are expected to pay €40 million to make his purchase permanent but they are unwilling to match that amount.
While Barça were initially considering legal action to get the whole €40 million from their rivals, they are now open to accepting a lower fee of at least €25 million. Atletico, for their part, would be open to offering around €20-25 million.
While negotiations continue on that front, Atleti are also in talks with Griezmann’s entourage over another potential salary cut.
As iterated earlier, the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner pockets €6 million per year (net) at Atletico Madrid. And Los Rojiblancos want him to reduce that to €4 million so that the transfer can be economically feasible for the club.
Griezmann’s game-time has suffered this season as Atletico have used him only for 30 minutes or less from the bench in all but one match in order to trigger the mandatory purchase clause.
The forward will naturally have been frustrated by the situation but has continued to make the most of his chances. What now remains to be seen is whether the Barcelona loanee is open to accepting another salary cut.
Atletico Madrid News
Atletico Madrid, Chelsea contact PSG midfielder’s agent with player set to leave
Atletico Madrid and Chelsea are among the clubs that have made contact with the agent of PSG midfielder Leandro Paredes, who is set to leave this summer.
This claim comes from journalist Martin Arevalo on ESPN, who states that apart from Atletico and Chelsea, an unnamed third club have also established contact with the Argentine international’s representative.
Paredes has been on PSG’s books since January 2019, when he arrived from Zenit St. Petersburg. For a large part of his time at the French capital outfit, the midfielder had been a regular starter in the side.
However, last summer saw Paredes get shipped out on loan to Juventus. He has played 33 times for the Bianconeri this season with a return of one goal and assist apiece.
The Serie A heavyweights, who were recently hit with a 10-point deduction, have the option to purchase him permanently. But, as per the report, his relationship with manager Massimiliano Allegri is not good and a return to PSG is on the cards.
And considering that he is not in the plans back at Parc des Princes either, a permanent departure away seems set in stone for Paredes.
As such, Atletico Madrid, Chelsea, and an unnamed club have shown interest in acquiring his services by making contact with the 28-year-old World Cup winner’s agent.
With Koke entering the final phase of his career and Geoffrey Kondogbia expected to leave at the end of the season, the Rojiblancos could do with reinforcements in the centre of the park.
Paredes, who has plenty of experience at the highest level and is known for his aggressive mentality, can be a good fit into Diego Simeone’s setup at the Civitas Metropolitano.
But, with Chelsea also in the picture, things could get tricky for the Colchoneros. After all, Atleti are operating on tight finances and are looking for bargain and free transfer signings in the market with the likes of Marcus Thuram, Jordi Alba, and Raphael Guerreiro emerging as targets.
