There has been speculation in the Spanish media over the past few days that Atletico Madrid are interested in signing Real Sociedad winger Antoine Griezmann. But reports in Spain said that the France international’s club would not be willing to let him go unless Atletico were willing to pay his buy-out clause of £23.7 million.
But it now appears that officials at Real Sociedad have softened their stance.
Spanish newspaper AS has reported that talks between the La Liga clubs are “at an advanced stage” and a deal could be finalized “in the next few hours.”
Real Sociedad are apparently willing to let the 23-year-old winger leave the club after accepting an offer of £19 million for the player.
Should the deal take place, Griezmann would give Atletico Madrid a strike partner to play alongside Mario Mandzukic, who was presented to the club’s supporters earlier this week.
Griezmann has been the target of transfer speculation since the start of the 2013-14 season. Some of his reported suitors were Real Madrid, Barcelona, PSG, Manchester United and Arsenal.
Atletico Madrid have been targeting the winger since 2011 when it was learned that Griezmann was a fan of the club. But the player has been a member of Real Sociedad since 2005, playing four years in their youth system.
His senior career with the club has seen Griezmann score 49 goals in 179 appearances. The France international has also made nine appearances for his country this year; having scored three times.
As of Friday, Griezmann’s Twitter profile no longer stated that he was a Real Sociedad player.
