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Griezmann happy at Atletico...as long as Simeone is in charge

Xinhua, September 5, 2016 Adjust font size:

Atletico Madrid striker Antoine Griezmann has committed his future to the club, but at the same time linked his future to that of coach Diego Simeone.

Griezmann, who was the top scorer in this summer's European Championship, signed a new contract with Atletico over the summer, tying him to the club until the summer of 2021 and raising his buyout clause to 100 million euros (around 110 million US dollars).

However, as Manchester United's purchase of his international teammate, Paul Pogba, showed this summer a 100 million buyout clause is not necessarily an impediment to some of the richest clubs in England and in the past few days the UK press have linked United to interest in Griezmann.

Speaking to 'Telefoot' Griezmann said he was happy to stay at Atletico Madrid, but also said the main reason for staying was to continue working with his current coach.

"I called him before signing my contract and he confirmed that he was staying. It was important for me to know I would be at a club where the coach had confidence in me. I am happy in Spain and I can still learn a lot from Simeone, I would only have doubts if he went to Paris Saint Germain or elsewhere," commented the striker.

"If I am carrying on here it is because I want to work with Simeone. I would be very upset if he left," he continued in words which will not have done a lot to reassure Atletico supporters. Endit