Antoine Griezmann reportedly has put a long-mooted move to Major League Soccer on hold, as Atlético de Madrid’s all-time top scorer has decided to stay in Spain until the end of the European season.
This means Griezmann (health permitting) will participate in the Copa del Rey final on April 18, after Atlético booked their place at Seville’s La Cartuja Stadium upon eliminating holders Barcelona on Tuesday night.
Writing at ESPN, Rodrigo Faez and Gustavo Hofman report that Orlando City’s offer to Griezmann to join them as a Designated Player was valid only for MLS’ Primary Transfer Window, which runs until March 26. After the offer became public knowledge last month, Diego Simeone began to leave open the possibility that Griezmann — Atleti’s all-time top scorer with 210 goals — would leave this month.
“I love him, I always want the best for him, and I hope he can play in the final,” Simeone said following Tuesday’s 3-0 defeat to Barça.
But behind the scenes, Simeone and the Atlético front office helmed by sporting director Mateu Alemany have been working to convince Griezmann to spurn Orlando’s offer and hang around long enough to play in the Copa del Rey final next month, against either Athletic Club or Griezmann’s former club Real Sociedad.
The next MLS transfer window opens on July 13, and the broad expectation remains that Griezmann will depart for the United States then, even though his Atleti contract runs through next season.
Griezmann on Tuesday played his 483rd game for Atleti, equaling the great Tomás Reñones for fourth on the club’s all-time appearances list. In 38 appearances across all competitions this season, the 34-year-old has scored 12 goals and provided two assists. All six of his goals in LaLiga have been scored from the bench, while in the Copa, he is the team’s top scorer with five goals.
