Antoine Griezmann backs out of promise to reveal next club but says he has already made his decision
France international declared he would make announcement on his future before World Cup opener against Australia, but amid rumours he could snub Barcelona to stay with Atletico Madrid he kept everyone guessing
CONFUSION still surrounds the future of Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann after he refused to say where he will be playing next season.
Last weekend, Griezmann said he would end months of speculation and confirm where he will be plying his trade ahead of France’s opening World Cup game.
The striker nearly joined Manchester United last year, however after snubbing a move to Old Trafford the Frenchman penned a new deal at Atletico until 2021.
Barcelona have been hoping to land Griezmann when his release clause drops to £88million in July.
But the 28-year-old, who promised so much at today's press conference failed to deliver by saying it is not the right time to reveal all.
Tantalisingly though, he said his mind is made up about where he will play next term.
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He said: “I am very sorry, but today I am not going to give my decision.
“I know there's a lot of expectation, I know many were waiting for it, but today is not the day (to speak about my future).
"There's no more pressure on me, I am relaxed, focused on the World Cup.
“I am happy and that's the most important thing now. I've lived with this for three months and I am used to it, now I have to think about the World Cup."
Canal + reckon he has decided to stay at the Wanda Metropolitano and sign a new contract with Atletico, making him the highest paid player in the club's history.
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Yesterday France boss Didier Deschamps revealed the striker would be playing in La Liga next season.
He said: "There is talk about their (Griezmann and Lyon’s Nabil Fekir's) futures.
"It's not ideal but I won't be able to have ideal conditions anyway.
"But Antoine will remain in Spain, that much is clear, so no worries."