Last minute Griezmann deal with Mbappé now available for 80M€
I still fail to understand why the summer transfer market closes at the end of August with three match-days having already been played in major European leagues. I guess it's just the way it is but there's no escaping that we witnessed a somewhat surreal window during the month, which actually followed a surreal season with no fans in the grounds due to covid. Real Madrid were in the thick of the action with their bid to sign Mbappé dominating headlines. The move ultimately failed to materialise but it was indirectly responsible for triggering other deals.
Griezmann return
The biggest surprise on the final day of activity was the return to Atleti for Griezmann in a move sanctioned by Simeone. It's fair to say that his time at Camp Nou failed to live up to the expectation. He left for the Catalan capital as a player ready to step up to the next level and failed to deliver in the azulgrana shirt. He returns to the home of the current LaLiga champions and the Argentine coach has been positive about the French striker's return. Less enthused are some Atleti fans who were less than impressed by his manner of leaving the club via the Piqué inspired documentary. The fact that Cholo is on his side stands in his favour and the plaudits will come from the supporters as soon as he starts scoring.
Mbappé in 2022?
It was less of a surprise that the Mbappé deal failed to materialise and I felt that throughout the transfer speculation, the player refused to bite the hand that feeds. He played well in the Ligue 1 game away to Stade de Reims, bagging a brace in the match and I've been told is thinking of renewing with PSG but adding a special Real Madrid release clause that could see him move at a future point to the Bernabéu for a fee of 80 million euro. That would cover a years salary and pay-off the outstanding debt to AS Monaco. I feel the player is anxious that any exit from Paris is handled the right way and he seems like a decent kid. This stands him in good stead knowing the type of individual that will, sooner or later be playing his football in the Spanish capital.