Transfer Rumours: Atletico Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus

Griezmann Goes AWOL

The rumours are true, Antoine Griezmann has gone AWOL. According to MARCA, the 28-year-old Frenchman was supposed to report to Madrid for Atletico’s annual preseason trip to nearby Los Angeles de San Rafael this morning. But he did not show in an effort to force through his expected move to Barcelona.

Griezmann had been expected to complete the move after his release clause dropped to €120 million on July 1st. However, Barcelona’s extravagant summer plans have thrown a wrench into that deal. With their plans to chase Neymar, Barcelona asked Atletico Madrid if they could pay the Griezmann fee in instalments rather than at once.

It was a laughable proposal, which Atletico Madrid laughed off in a seething statement released Friday night. There is still an expectation that the deal will get done, otherwise how else would Atletico Madrid pay for Joao Felix.

Mario Mandzukic Transfer Rumours

Juventus have already made a tonne of bigtime moves this summer. They now have to make the necessary sales to finance those moves. It seems there are no more likely departures candidates than Mario Mandzukic. The 33-year-old has played very well for Juventus over the last four season, scoring 31 league goals in his time.

But with the new additions coming to Turin, it is time for Mario to move on. According to Tuttosports’ Antonino Milone, that destination may be Borussia Dortmund. Dortmund are keen at making a run at the Bundesliga crown, already adding Mats Hummels, Thorgan Hazard and Julian Brandt this summer.

It is still unclear what kind of price Juve would want for Mandzukic. Juventus are more concerned with getting Mandzukic’s wages off their books. It’s almost impossible to get a good fee for a 33-year-old. So their priority has to be moving on from his wages.