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Antoine Griezmann to reject Chelsea transfer to stay with Atletico Madrid even if £63m release clause is triggered

Griezmann has been repeatedly linked with Chelsea but has told close friends he is happy in Madrid

Jack de Menezes

Tuesday 10 May 2016 10:00 BST

Antoine Griezmann is ready to turn down a Premier League move to stay with Atletico Madrid (Getty)

Antoine Griezmann is ready to disappoint Chelsea by turning down a lucrative move to the Premier League in order to remain with Atletico Madrid after informing his close friends that he is happy in the Spanish capital.

Griezmann fired Atletico to the Champions League final with a crucial away goal against German champions Bayern Munich, with the Spanish side progressing to the final on away goals to set-up a rematch of the 2013/14 final with rivals Real Madrid.

Griezmann’s form over his two seasons in Madrid has seen him emerge as one of the most lethal finishers in European football, and has caught the eye of Chelsea along with other clubs across the continent who want the 25-year-old to join them this summer.

However, according to The Telegraph, Griezmann has told friends in Madrid that he will stay with Atletico next season even if his £63m release clause is activated, with the likes of Manchester United and Manchester City also interested in the France international. Incoming City manager Pep Guardiola saw what Griezmann can do first hand during Bayern’s defeat, and with the current City side lacking firepower in their Champions League semi-final loss to Real, Griezmann had been sounded out as a possible transfer target.

Griezmann’s commitment to Atletico is believed to have come from head coach Diego Simeone’s private admission that he will remain with the La Liga club despite being linked with a Premier League move himself. Simeone has been touted as a possible replacement for Arsene Wenger at Arsenal, but with Wenger expected to remain at the club and the vacancies at Chelsea and City filled, Simeone looks set for another year at least with Atletico.

14 possible ins and outs at Conte's Chelsea

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1/1414 possible ins and outs at Conte's Chelsea

14 possible ins and outs at Conte's Chelsea

<b>Out:</b> Diego Costa

The controversial striker is reportedly unhappy in England and believes that the country’s referees and media are targeting him. A move back to Atletico Madrid could be on the cards if the new manager cannot convince him to stay.

Getty

14 possible ins and outs at Conte's Chelsea

<b>Out:</b> Thibaut Courtois

The goalkeeper’s form has suffered since his knee injury earlier this season and, according to reports, Conte could cash in while the Belgium international’s value remains high. A wise move?

14 possible ins and outs at Conte's Chelsea

<b>Out:</b> Radamel Falcao

The desperately out-of-form striker has confirmed that he will return to Monaco for pre-season training, bringing an end to what has been a disastrous two-year spell in England.

14 possible ins and outs at Conte's Chelsea

<b>Out:</b> Loic Remy

Another player in need of a fresh start. He’s been a small fish in a big pond ever since joining Chelsea but has enough quality to become the focal point of an attack elsewhere.

14 possible ins and outs at Conte's Chelsea

<b>Out:</b> Nemanja Matic

His fall from grace has slightly overlooked this season. Imperious upon arrival, he’s fallen behind John Obi Mikel in the pecking order – a state of affairs that many would barely be able to believe this time last year.

14 possible ins and outs at Conte's Chelsea

<b>Out:</b> Alexandre Pato

Despite his brilliant debut at Villa Park, the Brazilian may have done too little too late to earn a permanent contract. Any offer would be a mistake unless he can definitively answer questions over his fitness.

14 possible ins and outs at Conte's Chelsea

<b>Out:</b> Oscar

One of the few players in the squad who can provide the odd moment of magic but infuriatingly inconsistent. The Brazil international can still command a decent market price and is therefore dispensable.

14 possible ins and outs at Conte's Chelsea

<b>Out:</b> Nathan Ake (Watford)

The 21-year-old defender spent last season on loan with Watford, and he will continue his Premier League education this term with Bournemouth after joining the Cherries in a season-long loan.

14 possible ins and outs at Conte's Chelsea

<b>In:</b> Romelu Lukaku (Everton)

The Belgium international has made no secret of his desires to play for a Champions League club and, according to The Independent’s Mark Ogden, Conte has made him his number one priority this summer.

14 possible ins and outs at Conte's Chelsea

<b>In:</b> Arturo Vidal (Bayern Munich)

Formerly an all-action enforcer in Conte’s successful Juventus sides, the Chile international would bring steel and dynamism to Chelsea’s central midfield. The likelihood of prising him Bayern Munich’s hands, however, could be slim.

14 possible ins and outs at Conte's Chelsea

<b>In:</b> Radja Nainggolan (Roma)

A suitable back-up plan if Vidal is not a practical target. The Belgium international has the quality to fit in at an elite club.

14 possible ins and outs at Conte's Chelsea

<b>In:</b> John Stones (Everton)

Chelsea’s high-profile pursuit of the defender was ultimately fruitless and, in the time since, he’s shown he’s probably not yet worth Everton’s asking price of £40million. However, with Terry on his way, a centre-back is needed. Will Conte pay the premium on Stones’ potential?

14 possible ins and outs at Conte's Chelsea

<b>In:</b> Andreas Christensen (Borussia Monchengladbach)

The 19-year-old defender is currently on loan in Germany and his current club are desperate to make the deal permanent, so impressive has he been. Chelsea, however, would be foolish to let another talented youngster slip from out their grasp, especially when he could be a cut-price improvement in a key area.

14 possible ins and outs at Conte's Chelsea

<b>In:</b> Juan Cuadrado (Juventus)

Conte’s arrival could be the reprieve that the Colombian’s Chelsea career needs but the question is – does he actually want to move back to the Bridge? After a successful period on loan in Serie A, the league in which he made his name, he may be the one who needs convincing.

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Griezmann’s current contract runs until 2020, and the report adds that the club could yet seek to extend his deal as well as improving his current salary, with his release clause also expected to increase as part of the negotiations. While Atletico suffered a major setback in their La Liga title pursuit following the weekend defeat at Levante, the club can yet make up for their Champions League final defeat when they meet city rivals Real on 28 May.

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