Antoine Griezmann's scoring display in the Europa League final may be his parting gift to Atletico fans as reports in Spain consider to suggest that a move to the Spanish champions Barcelona is on the horizon for the young Frenchman.
In an interesting development, The Mirror have reported that it’s Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy that’s being lined up by the Madrid club as a replacement.
Vardy, 31, was bought by the club for just £1M in 2012 and has stayed with them right the way through their ascent to the top of English football, and was a key component of Claudio Ranieri’s title-winning side of 2015-16.
He turned down a move to Arsenal in the aftermath of that most remarkable of seasons, showing loyalty to the Foxes, but these reports now suggest that his resolve will be tested once more.
The England international, who has two years remaining on his contract with the club, will feature for his national side at the World Cup in Russia this summer.
Simeone’s side, fresh from their Europa League triumph, have already lost club legend Fernando Torres this summer, and with a move from Griezmann looking likely, some company for Diego Costa in the side’s striking department would appear to be a natural priority this summer for the Madrid club’s boardroom.
His tenacious, hard-running style of play certainly appeals as the type to fit into Simeone’s blueprint for how his side play, and he might be one of the only strikers in the world that could rival Diego Costa’s ability to get under defenders' skin.
