Chelsea have been widely tipped to lure exceptional French forward Antoine Griezmann away from the Vicente Calderon this summer. A formal offer is reported to be in the pipeline as Chelsea weigh up their options. The possibility of a player-plus-cash deal has been mooted with either of Filipe Luis or Mohamed Salah mentioned as the potential makeweights.
Chelsea have already had one bid rejected for the forward earlier in the summer. But the fact that Atletico have already signed two highly rated forwards in Jackson Martinez and Luciano Vietto as possible replacements has got the rumor-mills churning that the former Real Sociedad man is on his way to Stamford Bridge.
Spanish football expert Graham Hunter has talked up the possibility of Chelsea signing Griezmann by stating that the French forward has the attributes to thrive in the Premier League. Hunter said :
“Antoine Griezmann is exceptional and would set the Premier League alight. This is a really talented, quick and robust young footballer. The price will have to be extraordinary because neither Simeone or Atletico want to let him go.”
Griezmann had joined Vicente Calderon just last summer from Real Sociedad and has enjoyed a fantastic debut season under Diego Someone, netting 22 goals in 37 games in the League,level with Neymar and behind only Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
However, Hunter believes Atletico can do little if Chelsea come calling. When questioned on the prospects of Griezmann joining the Blues, he was quoted as saying:
“Chelsea have the power to buy him though. If they go all-in they have the power to take him from a club which is more than €500m in debt and trying to pay for a new stadium.”
He added :
“Griezmann is not pushing to get out, but the fact remains the economic power at Chelsea is such that, if they want him, they can prise him away.”
Only time will tell what the future holds for the exciting French International. However , these intriguing developments will surely have all Chelsea fans buzzing with excitement at the thought of a front three of Griezmann, Eden Hazard and Diego Costa.