Chelsea are reportedly willing to meet Atletico Madrid star Antoine Griezmann’s £86m release clause and go beyond it to land the Frenchman next summer.
The 25-year-old signed a contract extension in June to keep him at the club until 2021, but the sizeable release clause was inserted into the deal to protect Atleti’s position with regards to his future.
According to The Express, Chelsea are ready to splash out significantly next summer to sign him, but will face competition from Manchester United who have also been linked with a move for the forward in recent months.
While it’s unclear as to which club is presently the favourite in that pursuit, what is clear is that if they do enter a transfer battle, they will likely end up eclipsing the £89m spent by United on Paul Pogba earlier this summer, according to the report.
It’s added by the Express that Chelsea could use Diego Costa as a bargaining chip in order to push their way to the front of the queue, with the former Atleti striker still held in high regard by the La Liga giants.
Time will tell as to whether or not he will be involved in an exchange deal, but speculation is undoubtedly growing over Griezmann’s future as he continues to be linked with a move to the Premier League.
The former Real Sociedad star has scored 22 league goals in each of the last two campaigns, and has established himself as an equally important part of the French team too.
In turn, it’s no surprise to see some of the biggest clubs in Europe chase after him, but not only will Atleti be desperate to hold on to him, he may well feel as though he has unfinished business at the club after missing out on a La Liga title and the Champions League last season in heartbreaking fashion.