Antoine Griezmann is looking better than ever this season. The 32-year-old World Cup winner has 16 goals and a trio of assists this season in 25 games. Griezmann is reportedly enjoying life during his second spell in Madrid. But with a contract that runs out next summer, fine form and versatility, the Frenchman will have suitors from across the continent.
Antoine Griezmann next club odds: latest news
Antoine Griezmann is back to his best – Photo by Icon sport
A failed Catalonian adventure
In the wake of selling Neymar to Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona desperately tried to find a new superstar attacker to fill the void left in the famous ‘MSN’ attacking triumvirate. Ousmane Dembele was first in 2017, then Phillipe Coutinho in 2018 and finally Griezmann in 2019. These three cost a total of €390m.
All three struggled at Barca to varying extents, as various managers attempted to squeeze them, plus Luis Suarez and of course Lionel Messi onto the same pitch. Despite averaging 0.55 goals and assists per 90, Griezmann always looked like a square peg in a round Blaugrana hole.
Adaptable attacker
Griezmann has always been a flexible player. He started his career as a tricky inverted winger at Real Sociedad, before becoming Atletico’s number nine. He has also always thrived when dropping into deeper areas to link play, or when playing as a number ten as he has for France.
But this season, Griezmann has taken a step deeper, spending ample minutes as a number eight in Atleti’s 3-1-4-2 system. It hasn’t affected his productivity though. Since the start of 2022/23, the Frenchman has netted 32 and assisted 21 goals.
Antoine Griezmann next club odds – latest outrights
Manchester United – 6/1
Manchester United have struggled for goals this season. Only three Premier League sides have scored fewer than the Red Devils’ 22 goals. It’s not purely a finishing issue however, as United are not creating enough chances, as shown by their 11th ranking in the expected goals table.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS takeover is expected to move United in a different direction with regard to recruitment, likely toward younger signings. But to ameliorate United’s attacking issues in the short term, Griezmann would be perfect, as he can both score and assist to a world class level.
If Griezmann could be persuaded to join the ailing United, Atleti may be forced to the negotiating table on account of Griezmann’s contract expiry in 2025. INEOS have been known to take on an older player as a unique market opportunity, such as signing Kasper Schmeichel for Nice. A move is more likely in the summer however, due to the Financial Fairplay constraints United are operating under.
Chelsea – 10/1
Nicolas Jackson has not had a terrible start to life at Stamford Bridge, he has scored eight goals, works incredibly hard and is excellent at sniffing out chances. However, the Senegalese striker is not ready to lead the line for Chelsea single handedly quite yet. He is often profligate in front of goal, can be technically inconsistent and is caught offside far too much.
Mauricio Pochettino has not been shy in his calls for a top striker. Griezmann would be an outstanding addition to an otherwise very youthful Chelsea attack, and as such their odds have shortened in recent weeks. The 32-year-old is a vastly superior finisher to any player in the Chelsea squad, perhaps except countryman Christopher Nkunku. If Conor Gallagher is sold to Spurs, Todd Boehly and co may be able to table an offer that is hard for Atleti to turn down for a player Griezmann’s age and contractual status.
Arsenal – 12/1
The last few tumultuous weeks at Arsenal have illustrated the Gunners’ need for a clinical goalscorer. Gabriel Jesus is a superb multifaceted attacker, but does not seem suited to carry the goalscoring burden of being the main striker for a title winning side.
Griezmann could allow Arteta to have the best of both worlds. His 32 goals since the start of last season have come from an expected goals of 25.9 show his finishing is vastly superior to Jesus’.
But Griezmann is more than a finisher, and can link play as well as the Brazilian. If Arsenal are looking for a cheaper alternative to Victor Osimhen, Griezmann is the perfect short-term option.
