Atletico Madrid News
Barcelona unwilling to take Atletico Madrid to court over Griezmann, ready to accept €25m
With Atletico Madrid playing Antoine Griezmann less than 30 minutes in every game this season, barring the last match in the Madrid Derby, it has seemed clear that the club are unwilling to pay the full €40 million fee to sign him permanently from Barcelona.
It was recently reported that the Catalan side were miffed by this situation and were willing to take Atleti to court over this matter.
However, it was also claimed that the Rojiblancos were not intimidated by said threat, as the club were confident about the stance they had taken with the World Cup winner. As per a new revelation, it seems like the assuredness from Atletico Madrid’s camp is well founded.
According to the latest information provided by Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona do not want to take the Griezmann situation to court and would rather negotiate a lower fee for their loanee.
It is stated that Xavi’s side expect €25 million at least for the French international.
Atletico Madrid have always been open to signing Griezmann if Barcelona were willing to lower the fee for the versatile forward. Manager Diego Simeone is understood to still be an admirer of the French international, who has proven his worth off the bench with crucial late goals.
The Argentine boss’ trust in the former Real Sociedad hero was evident in his side’s 2-1 defeat against Real Madrid, as he surprisingly started him alongside Joao Felix in a front two in such a massive clash.
Now with Barcelona not wishing to take the matter to court, it seems likely that both clubs will agree to a lower fee and put the ongoing situation behind them. The only facet that needs to be mutually agreed upon is the actual fee for Antoine Griezmann now.
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.
