Atletico de Madrid director Alemany says Griezmann “will stay with us”

Anotine Griezmann is the latest star of world football that is lined up for a massive move to the MLS. Reports are Orlando City have reached out to the Frenchman, but the football director of Atletico Madrid Mateu Alemany is counting on Griezmann for until the end of the season and more.

Orlando City will have to wait say Alemany

The Florida club is insistent on the midfielder coming to Orlando and have reportedly made multiple offers, but each have come up empty with each offer. Rumors started to swirl around the Metropolitano since last month, and a potential move has been gaining steam over the last few weeks, but Alemany spoke to Spanish television before Atletico’s league match against Real Sociedad and refuted those rumors.

“I already told you he has this season on his contract and two more with us. I don’t see anything new. Antoine is in extraordinary form, he’s playing some fantastic matches,” said the former president of Real Club Deportivo Mallorca. “They’re going to applaud him as always. I stand by what I said, he has a contract, he’s going to stay with us. It’s come full circle and we’re back to square one. He’s performing spectacularly and that’s the most important thing. He’s going to be with us, he’s going to continue with us, and that’s all.”

Things have changed significantly for the “colchoneros” over the last few days, and that could have something to do with Griezmann looking to delay the decision to makes the switch overseas. On Wednesday, Atletico held off Barcelona to take a 4-3 aggravate in the semifinal of the Copa del Rey and are heading to Estadio La Cartuja for the final against Real Sociedad.

Copa final pending

For Atletico, this is a double dose of good news, not just because they have a chance to add an 11th Copa del Rey title to the trophy cabinet, but it means that Griezmann is likely sticking around to until the end of the season for one last chance to lift a trophy with the club he has spent the majority of his career with.

The Frenchman signed with Atletico de Madrid in 2014 and spent five season with the club before heading off to Barcelona for a bumpy tenure at the Camp Nou. He returned to Atleti in 2022 and has been there ever since. In his time with the “rojiblancos” he has won a Supercup, Europa League, the UEFA Super Cup and came runner up in the Champions League back in 2015-16. He can now finish his time in Spain off with a Copa del Rey which he only won with Barcelona is 2021.

Should Griezmann stick around for the final that would mean that he would have to put a move to Orlando City on the back burner until at least the 18th of April when the final is set to be played from the Cartuja in Sevilla, Spain. Orlando City started their MLS campaign at the end of February and have lost both matches they have played this season. Griezmann’s availability for the Florida club could be limited considering he’s coming off a full season, and has the World Cup coming this summer.

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