Enrique Cerezo, the president of Atletico Madrid, claims that Antoine Griezmann is one of Europe's top three or four players and that he will stay with the Spanish club beyond this season.
Griezmann returned to Atletico from Barcelona in August on a two-year loan with the option to buy after only two years at the Nou Camp.
With Atleti, he has struggled to reclaim his previous form, scoring just eight goals in 35 games across all competitions.
Indeed, the France international has gone 14 games without scoring in LaLiga, one game shy of his greatest slump in the division.
Meanwhile, Griezmann's 13 direct goal involvements in 2021-22 rank fourth among Atletico players, behind Luis Suarez (15), Joao Felix (15), and Angel Correa (15). (18).
Despite reports in the Spanish press that Atleti are hesitant to buy the 31-year-old altogether, Cerezo has stated that a deal is in the works.
"Griezmann is a key player for us. He has a contract with Atletico Madrid and will remain with the club "As reported by AS, he mentioned this during an event on Friday.
"Antoine is one of the three or four best players in Europe, in my opinion."
Suarez will leave Wanda Metropolitano at the conclusion of the season, according to Atletico Madrid.
However, they still have Alvaro Morata on their books, since the Spaniard's two-year loan at Juventus expires after Saturday's Serie A match against Fiorentina.
Cerezo, unlike Griezmann, was less vocal when it came to addressing Morata's future in Madrid.
"I honestly don't know what will happen to him," he admitted. "He's a member of our team, but I'm not sure what will happen. I'm not sure if Juventus will keep him. We have no idea."
Atleti has conceded 42 goals in 37 LaLiga games this season, its worst record in a single season since Diego Simeone took control in the middle of 2011-12.
Jan Oblak, in particular, has had a terrible season, but Cerezo has dismissed rumours that he could leave in the coming transfer window.
"Everything is surrounded by rumors," he remarked. "Jan has a deal with Atletico de Madrid as a goalkeeper. He has the option of renewing for another ten years."
blogpay
Total Comments: 0