Griezmann confirms Atletico Madrid’s transfer ban behind failed Manchester United switch

Antoine Griezmann has confirmed he could not leave Atletico Madrid this summer after the club’s FIFA-imposed transfer ban was upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport [CAS].

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho had earmarked Griezmann as the club’s top transfer target this summer and the Premier League giants were widely expected to trigger Griezmann’s €100m (£87.3m) release clause after winning the Europa League.

However, Atletico were unsuccessful in overturning a FIFA-imposed transfer ban and Griezmann has now claimed it would have been a ‘dirty move’ to leave Diego Simeone’s side this summer when they wouldn’t be able to replace him.

“The CAS sanction has come in. Atletico can’t make any signings. With my advisor Eric Olhats we have decided to stay,” Griezmann told Telefoot at the weekend, via AS.

“It’s a difficult moment for the club. It would be a dirty move to leave now. We have spoken with the board and we are going to go again for next season. The questions about my future have been a bit annoying.”

Griezmann is also reported to have personally phoned Mourinho to inform the United boss of his change of heart, which has now forced the Premier League giants to re-think their transfer strategy for the summer.

In the last three La Liga campaigns only Cristiano Ronaldo (108), Lionel Messi (106) and Luis Suarez (85) have scored more goals than the 26-year-old (60).

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