Griezmann to Barca? Reports indicate 100m release clause deal in summer

If reports in Spain are to be believed, Barcelona have agreed a deal with Antoine Griezmann and will sign the French striker in the summer. The 27 year old will be acquired for a fee of 100 million euros (his release clause), but his arrival will mean that the Blaugrana will have a wealth of attacking talent at their disposal- they already have Messi, Suarez, Coutinho and Dembele, and Griezmann at the Nou Camp would effectively make it a “Famous Five” or a “Fantastic Five”. It would also see Griezmann at the same club as his French national teammate Samuel Umtiti.

Atleti have recently sold Nicolas Gaitan and Yannick Carrasco to Dalian in China. Augusto Fernandez has also left for the Far East, while Luciano Vietto has been loaned to Valencia with an option to buy. Veteran Fernando Torres is also likely to depart the Wanda Metropolitano in the summer. Should Griezmann leave, it does raise doubts over whether Los Colchoneros can continue to be a threat to the Real-Barca hegemony in Spain. Atleti are currently second in Spain and have reached the last 16 of the Europa League

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Paul Heckingbottom Leeds manager 2018- New LUFC boss appointed

Leeds United have appointed Paul Heckingbottom as their new manager. The 40 year old was in charge of Barnsley and had signed a new contract with the Tykes just last week, but Leeds reportedly paid £500,000 to activate a release clause in his new deal and bring him to Elland Road. He replaces Thomas Christiansen, … Read more

Why did Giroud leave Arsenal? French star reveals Deschamps’ words prompted switch to Chelsea

French striker Olivier Giroud has revealed that national team manager Didier Deschamps played a role in him leaving the Gunners in the recently concluded winter transfer window.

Giroud was effectively part of a merry go round transfer that saw Aubameyang move to Arsenal, Batshuayi move to BVB and Giroud move to Chelsea.

The arrival of Aubameyang at Arsenal would’ve made Giroud third choice at the Emirates behind the Gabon international and compatriot Alexandre Lacazette, and the 31 year old had a word with Les Bleus boss Deschamps regarding his World Cup selection possibilities, and the latter encouraged him to “leave Arsenal”. Deschamps didn’t tell him to move to Chelsea in particular, but asked him to leave the Emirates in order to increase his World Cup chances, with sporadic Cup and Europa appearances not really helping Giroud’s cause.

Giroud also revealed that there was interest from BVB, Roma and Sevilla, but he opted to join Chelsea. He is expected to make his Blues debut tonight against Watford at Vicarage Road

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