Chelsea Table Bold Player-Plus-Cash Offer for Antoine Griezmann
Chelsea have stepped up their pursuit of Antoine Griezmann, reportedly offering €50 million plus Mohamed Salah to Atletico Madrid in an attempt to land their top target of the summer transfer window, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Despite clear indications from both Atletico Madrid and Griezmann himself that a transfer is not on the cards, the Premier League champions remain undeterred. Chelsea’s latest offer is calculated to match the French forward’s €65 million release clause, combining a significant cash sum with the inclusion of Mohamed Salah, whose future at Stamford Bridge appears all but over.
Salah, 23, spent the latter half of last season on loan at Fiorentina, where he impressed in Serie A. However, José Mourinho is said to have no intention of reintegrating the Egyptian international into his squad, effectively using him as leverage to facilitate a move for Griezmann.
Griezmann, a key figure for Diego Simeone’s Atletico, has consistently reiterated his desire to stay in Madrid, and the Spanish club have been firm in their stance that the player is not for sale. Nevertheless, Chelsea’s aggressive approach suggests they believe the Frenchman could yet be tempted by the challenge of the Premier League and a lucrative contract in London.
It remains to be seen whether Atletico Madrid will entertain the offer or maintain their refusal to negotiate. But with Chelsea intent on bolstering their attack and Griezmann identified as a cornerstone of that plan, the saga could still have further twists before the transfer window closes.
— BBC Sport Football
