- Diego Simeone has hinted that Antoine Griezmann will leave Atletico Madrid next summer
- Barcelona and Manchester are the likely destination for the French forward
- Simeone reiterated that his relationship with Griezmann is very cordial
Atletico Madrid manager, Diego Simeone, has confirmed that Antoine Griezmann will leave the club at the end of the season with either Barcelona or Manchester United his likely destination.
The Atleti gaffer had managed to keep the Frenchman at the Wanda Metropolitano for one more term after the club were handed a transfer ban.
Simeone confirms Griezmann will leave Atletico Madrid for Manchester United or Barcelona
Griezmann, 26, looked destined to head to Manchester United at the time, with the striker declaring there was a 60 per cent chance of him going, but as the ban kicked in, he admitted he would stay in the Spanish capital.
READ ALSO: Manchester United plot selling Henrikh Mkhitaryan to buy Arsenal's Mesut Ozil
Simeone has now paved the way for Griezmann to leave the club, with quotes in French paper l'Equipe.
He said: "Of course Griezmann will be able to leave at some point, the same way (Diego) Costa and Arda Turan were allowed to leave.
"I love my players a lot and I love to see them grow. I am not ungrateful.
Simeone reiterated that his relationship with Griezmann is very cordial
"If a player comes to me and says, 'Coach, I have a once in a lifetime chance to play for a certain team, I want to leave'.
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Simeone added:"If he did all he could for me as Griezmann does, I'll say it's no problem. I know that he needs to grow.
"Of course Griezmann will be able to leave at some point, the same way Costa and Arda Turan were allowed to leave."
NAIJ.com reported earleir that Manchester United manager, Jose Mourinho, is ready to offload unsettled Henrikh Mkhitaryan in the summer — to pave the way for the signing of Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil as his replacement.
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Source: Sports.naija.ng