Is Griezmann going to Al Nasr with Ronaldo?
Is Griezmann going to Al Nasr with Ronaldo?
The "star hunt" of Saudi Arabian clubs seems to be unstoppable due to the internal conflicts. New names are constantly emerging alongside the local clubs here. Just like Karim Benzema and Angolo Kanté, two French stars have now caught the attention of Saudi Arabia. Both Benzema and Kanté have joined Al-Ittihad, the current champions of the Pro League. This time, it's not Al-Ittihad, but Al-Nassr, Cristiano Ronaldo's club, that has set its sights on another French star, Antoine Griezmann.
The news media outlet Fotomercato's journalist, Santo Auna, revealed the interest of Ronaldo's club in Griezmann. In a tweet, he mentioned that this week Al-Nassr's representatives met with Griezmann's representatives in London. The purpose of this interview between both parties was to expedite the process of bringing the French star to the club.
Atletico Madrid has set a release clause of 25 million euros for Griezmann. However, the Riyadh-based club is not concerned about it. That's why they have already started negotiations in the middle ground.
In the upcoming season, if Atletico fails to find someone like Griezmann, it could have some negative consequences on the field. However, if they let go of Griezmann, they will also be relieved of paying a hefty salary. Currently, the club is going through some financial difficulties. In this situation, letting go of Griezmann will also give them an opportunity to rebuild the squad.
If this agreement is completed with Al-Nassr, it will be a significant event for the Saudi club. This 32-year-old forward has been in great form in the recently concluded season, scoring 16 goals himself and assisting another 19. In addition to that, he had a fantastic performance as a midfielder in the FIFA World Cup held in Qatar in November-December.
Apart from Griezmann, Al-Nassr is also considering bringing in Moroccan star Hakim Ziyech from Chelsea. The contract negotiations are reportedly in the final stages.