Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has revealed Manchester United target Antoine Griezmann will be free to leave for a unique opportunity.
Griezmann was heavily linked with a move to United in the summer but opted to sign a bumper new deal after Atletico were hit with a FIFA-imposed transfer ban.
Barcelona and United are still interested in signing the France international and both have been put on red alert after Simeone conceded he would not stand in Griezmann’s way.
“Of course Griezmann will be able to leave at some point, the same way [Diego] Costa and Arda Turan were allowed to leave,” he told L’Equipe.
“I love my players a lot and I love to see them grow. I am not ungrateful. If a player comes to me and says: ‘coach, I have a once in a lifetime chance to play for a certain team, I want to leave.
“If he did all he could for me as Griezmann does, I’ll say it’s no problem. I know that he needs to grow.”
Griezmann has struggled to reproduce last season’s performances for Atletico this term but that hasn’t stopped Barcelona from edging ahead in the race to sign him at the end of the season.
Ernesto Valverde’s side are still looking to sufficiently replace Neymar and Griezmann is currently at the top of their summer wish list.
The 26-year-old has only scored five goals in 12 league appearances this season.
