Antoine Griezmann renews with Atlético

AS, Marca, Cadena COPE and Cadena SER are among the prominent outlets reporting that Antoine Griezmann today has renewed his contract with Atlético Madrid.

All outlets have said that the renewal is for one year - to 2022 - and will see Griezmann net a hefty pay rise to more than €10 million per year, which certainly makes him Atlético’s highest-paid player. Of most interest, though, is the status of Griezmann’s buyout clause; that is set to remain at €100 million, meaning any interested parties must pay that clause in order to acquire the Frenchman.

Of course, that figure will not stop a club like, say, Manchester United from signing Griezmann - the player for months has had the framework of a deal in place to join the Europa League winners. And COPE’s Antonio Ruiz, while confirming the renewal, said that the coming year will be used to facilitate the 26-year-old’s long-mooted departure from Atlético.

The renewal news seems like a win for all parties. Griezmann gets a pay rise befitting his status as a world-class player/emerging international brand, and Diego Simeone gets to count on him for another season; Atlético will need him badly, as any forward reinforcements will not arrive until January. Atleti will also find security in that his big buyout clause remains the same ahead of what is anticipated to be an amicable split next summer.

Atlético’s star forward also takes a step toward rehabilitating his damaged image among supporters. Griezmann’s true intentions and commitment to the cause were called into question the more he spoke about his future plans with various outlets. He easily could have left Atleti in the lurch by leaving while the club was unable to replace him - and came close to doing just that - but now has been rewarded for deciding to stay put.