Diego Simeone: 'Antoine Griezmann will eventually leave Atletico Madrid'

Manager Diego Simeone has revealed that he will not stand in Antoine Griezmann's way if he decides to leave Atletico Madrid in the future.

After three successful years in Spain's capital, Griezmann had been expected to join Manchester United last summer before Atletico's transfer ban resulted in the French international spending another season at the club.

However, the attacker continues to be linked with a move away from the Wanda Metropolitano and Simeone has insisted that he has no issues with eventually having to sell his star player.

The 47-year-old told L'Equipe: "Of course Griezmann will be able to leave at some point, the same way [Diego] Costa and Arda Turan were allowed to leave.

"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.

"Of course Griezmann will be able to leave at some point, the same way Costa and Arda Turan were allowed to leave."

Barcelona have also been credited with an interest in Griezmann, who has netted 90 goals in 178 appearances in all competitions since leaving Real Sociedad in 2014.