Griezmann could regret Atletico Madrid exit, says Barcelona defender Umtiti

Posted Monday, March 25, 2019 by squawka.com

Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti believes Antoine Griezmann could "regret" leaving Atletico Madrid for the Catalan club amid fresh rumours.

Umtiti has warned his French compatriot that his current club play a brand of football that best accentuates his assets and he should therefore consider staying put.

Could Griezmann join Barca? Five key things to know...

1. Griezmann was heavily linked with a move to Barca this time last year.

2. The Frenchman decided to stay with Atleti, signing a new contract until 2023.

3. However, following a Champions League exit to Juventus, reports have suggested Barcelona could revisit their interest.

4. Speculation has also emerged that Griezmann is currently unsettled in the Spanish capital.

5. Umtiti has since denied those rumours, urging his compatriot to think carefully about joining him at the Camp Nou.

Reports surfaced that Griezmann could leave for Barcelona this summer following the club's capitulation in Turin in which Atleti were knocked out of the Champions League by Juventus earlier this month.

Ernesto Valverde has expressed his desire to sign a centre-forward this summer with Luis Suarez the club's only senior striker, but Umtiti believes Griezmann could "regret" leaving a club who builds their system around him.

"I know Antoine is very happy in Madrid, it's going well for him, it's a team that plays for him, and after that, in a career there are choices that we can take and that we can regret," he explained to Telefoot.

"But I know he feels good there. He could play in any club around the world because of his qualities, whether in Barcelona or elsewhere, and be happy and successful."

Atletico Madrid is Griezmann's "home" - Morata

Following rumours of a potential La Liga switch, on loan striker Alvaro Morata was quick to play down the speculation, insisting he is not worried about a possible departure because Griezmann feels at "home" in the Spanish capital.

He said: "I'm not worried. In general I see Antoine very happy with us. This is his home and I think he's happy here."

Griezmann released an hour-long documentary on Spanish TV last year to announce his decision to stay at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium - it is highly unlikely such a PR move will be made this time around given the derision it was met with last time.

This season Griezmann been in scintillating form, scoring 18 goals across 39 matches in all competitions, helping Atleti to second in La Liga.

Atleti next face an all-Madrid derby against Rayo Vallecano at the Estadio de Vallecas on March 31.