The Frenchman appears to have ruled out a summer
transfer by pledging his loyalty to the Rojiblancos on
social media following their CAS punishment
Antoine Griezmann has pledged his loyalty to Atletico
Madrid after their transfer ban was upheld, appearing to rule
out a summer move to Manchester United in the process.
United have been heavily linked with the Frenchman but
Atletico's inability to sign a replacement because of their
ban has dealt a severe blow to the Red Devils' hopes of
sealing his signing.
And Griezmann appears to have now poured cold water on
the potential switch by tweeting "Now more than ever,
Atleti" hours after the Spanish club's appeal against the
punishment was rejected.
Ahora más que nunca #Atleti #Todosjuntos
9:37 PM - 1 Jun 2017
13,131 23,302
Antoine Griezmann
@AntoGriezmann
Atletico had been tipped to move for Chelsea striker Diego
Costa and Lyon forward Alexandre Lacazette in the coming
months but will now be unable to sign players until January
2018.
That looks set to at least delay a move that could have
challenged the world transfer record, with Griezmann's buy-
out clause reportedly set at around €100 million.
Reports in the British press on Thursday morning suggested
United were instead turning their attention to a No.9 to
replace Zlatan Ibrahimovic, with Alvaro Morata, Romelu
Lukaku and Andrea Belotti all linked.
Griezmann, 26, scored 26 goals during the 2016-17 season
and placed third in the Ballon d'Or voting in December.
His commitment to Atletico will come as a huge boost for
Diego Simeone, with Kevin Gameiro his side's second top
scorer this past campaign with 16 in all competitions and
Fernando Torres out of contract.
PLAY
Atleti were handed a two-window transfer ban for breaching
FIFA regulations regarding the acquisition of foreign players
under the age of 18.
Half of the punishment was served during the most recent
January transfer window, but having expected to have the
ban overturned upon appeal to the Court of Arbitration for
Sport, the Rojiblancos' summer plans have now been left in
tatters.
They could opt to bring the likes of Luciano Vietto and
Matias Kranevitter back from loans to bolster their squad,
though Theo Hernandez, who spent the season at Alaves,
has been heavily tipped to join Real Madrid.
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