Griezmann Snubbed Arsenal Interest To Stay At Atletico
Arsene Wenger attempted to convince Atletico Madrid striker Antoine Griezmann to move to the Emirates this summer, but the player happily turned down the offer.
Arsenal have been on the lookout for a new, world-class striker as they do not feel Olivier Giroud, Theo Walcott and Danny Welbeck are good enough. They have been linked with several players, like Karim Benzema and Juventus’ record signing Gonzalo Higuain this summer, but no deals for either player materialized.
The club are now on the verge of signing Lucas Perez from Deportivo de La Coruna. However, an Arsenal source has confirmed that Wenger had set his sights on a much bigger target this summer, and tried to convince Griezmann to join the Gunners while the forward was playing for host nation France at Euro 2016.
The Arsenal source said: “Arsene and Griezmann held talks during the Euros about his situation.
“The player told him outright that he was happy in Spain, and his family were enjoying life there.
“There is still interest. Why wouldn’t there be in one of the best players in the world? But nothing will happen this summer at least.”
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Arsenal are also on the brink of sealing a deal for Valencia defender Shkodran Mustafi.
The German has been at the center of a tug of war between his club and the Gunners, but the London club seem to have won the race for his signature.
Valencia manager Pako Ayestaran insisted that Mustafi would not be leaving the club this summer last week, but Arsene Wenger confirmed that deals for the 24-year-old as well as Perez were done, and were just awaiting a formal announcement.
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