Antoine Griezmann ‘intends to leave’ for Orlando City

Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann looks likely to depart the club this year, but the question will be when. The French veteran signed a new deal last season to keep him at Atletico until 2027, but now seems ready to make the long-touted move to Major League Soccer.

This week it emerged that Orlando City are involved in advanced talks with Griezmann, and are hoping to bring him in before the 27th of March, which is the transfer deadline for MLS. They have not yet opened negotiations with Atletico.

Griezmann debating Atletico Madrid departure

Contacts between Griezmann and Orlando started last summer, according to Cadena SER, and he is now weighing up his future. They say that his intention is and was to leave for Orlando City, but his situation at Atletico is giving him second thoughts. The prospect of a Champions League run and a Copa del Rey trophy could keep him at Atletico until the end of the season, as he looks to go out on a high note.

Griezmann was not expecting to play as much or as well as he had this season, hence he had it in his mind he would leave for the United States. Diego Simeone is again using Griezmann regularly though, and he has become a key player again, after falling out of the team late last season.

Llorente and Simeone at full-time. ❤️🤍 pic.twitter.com/mV5JJPWSe5

— Atletico Universe (@atletiuniverse) February 25, 2026

Diego Simeone’s take on Griezmann exit

Speaking after Atletico’s win over Club Brugge, Simeone seemed willing to allow Griezmann to make the call as he saw fit.

“I’m not going to speak for him. I love him very much, we’ve talked about many things, and I told him what I think. I hope he chooses what he considers best and what he wants because he deserves what he wants,” he told Diario AS.