Simeone unsure on future of Griezmann
Feb 27, 2026, 08:17 AM ETDiego Simeone has admitted he "doesn't know" if Antoine Griezmann will finish the season with Atlético Madrid, as the forward negotiates a switch to Orlando City.ESPN reported earlier this week that star forward Griezmann was in talks with the MLS side over a move, despite having a contract at Atletico until 2027. Sources say an agreement is close to being completed, with both the player and Orlando keen for the deal to happen now.World Cup winner Griezmann is Atlético's all-time top goalscorer, and continues to be a key member of the team -- making 22 LaLiga appearances this season -- as they fight for trophies, with a Copa del Rey semifinal second leg against Barcelona coming up on Tuesday.Speaking earlier this week, Simeone said Griezmann was "in a place where he deserves to choose what he wants to do" given his contribution to the club."I was quite clear the other day, when I was asked about it," Simeone said in a news conference on Friday, ahead of Atlético's LaLiga game at Oviedo. "I'm not going to keep talking about it... We don't know what's going to happen. I'm not going to repeat how important Antoine is to us, we know that."Antoine Griezmann is edging closer to a move to the MLS. Maria Gracia Jimenez/Soccrates/Getty ImagesFriday's Champions League last 16 draw pitted Atlético against Tottenham, with the first leg to be played on March 10 or 11 at the Metropolitano, and the return leg in London on March 17 or 18."Antoine has this season and two more years of contract with us, and he's absolutely focused on what's coming up," director of football Mateu Alemany said, speaking after the Champions League draw. "He's performing very well. We're thinking about him helping us tomorrow, on Tuesday and in the Champions League ... All the rest is speculation."Sources have told ESPN that Griezmann could now depart before that, with a possible farewell game being against former club Real Sociedad in LaLiga on March 7.- UCL talking points: Madrid, PSG or Italian football -- who is worse off?- MLS Power Rankings: LAFC No. 1 after win over Miami, MessiThat would leave the former France international with just three games left with Atlético: at Oviedo on Saturday, against Barcelona next Tuesday and then against La Real."We're talking to Antoine," Simeone said. "He knows how important he is to us. We don't have to put pressure on him. We have to focus on what's ahead of us, which is great: Oviedo, Barcelona, Real Sociedad, Tottenham."The MLS transfer window closes on March 26, before reopening on July 13.The parties are now negotiating the final details of a transfer, sources told ESPN.Simeone would have preferred Griezmann to stay until the end of the LaLiga season and move this summer, but the player had a verbal agreement with Atlético that the club would allow him to depart for free, on his own terms.
