Atlético Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann has put a potential move to MLS club Orlando City on hold this season now that the Spanish club has advanced to the Copa del Rey final on April 18, sources told ESPN.
ESPN reported last week that the France striker was in talks with the MLS side over a move, despite having a contract at Atlético until 2027.
Sources said that Orlando made the offer on the condition that Griezmann move to the United States before the MLS transfer window deadline of March 26.
One source told ESPN that the offer to the 34-year-old was only valid for this transfer window because the club acknowledged that in the coming window there could be other alternatives. MLS’ summer window opens on July 13.
Griezmann is Atlético’s all-time leading scorer with 210 goals but he has yet to win a major title with Diego Simeone’s team.
Sources told ESPN that Diego Simeone and the front-office team were keen to see Griezmann stay on for the season to give him the best potential farewell possible, including a shot at the Copa del Rey trophy.
Last week’s Champions League round-of-16 draw pitted Atlético against Tottenham, with the first leg to be played on March at the Metropolitano, and the return leg in London on March 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 last week after the Champions League draw.
Speaking last 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. “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.”
Atleti edged into the Copa del Rey final despite being beaten 3-0 by Barcelona in their semifinal second-leg clash at Camp Nou on Tuesday and will now face either Real Sociedad or Athletic Club.
ESPN’s Julien Laurens contributed to this news story.
