From LaLiga to MLS 

©IMAGO

Antoine Griezmann could be heading to Major League Soccer before the end of the season. According to a report by The Athletic, the 34-year-old Frenchman from Atlético Madrid is in advanced talks with Orlando City SC. The transfer window in Major League Soccer is open until March 26.

Rumour
	A. Griezmann
	Second Striker
Atlético ? Orlando LaLiga Major League Soccer

Grizemann is considered a big fan of the Norther American league and has made no secret of his desire to play in MLS at some point. Just last summer, the striker extended his contract with Atlético ahead of schedule until 2027, but limited playing time this season could lead to a change of heart. The left-footed player has only been in the starting line-up six times in LaLiga this season. It is not known whether Atlético has a say in the matter if Griezmann, who is the club’s record goalscorer with 210 goals, wants to leave.

Two years ago, L’Équipe reported a release clause of €25 million. It is unclear whether this was removed when his contract was extended last year. According to the report, Orlando believes it has a good chance of signing Griezmann during the current season in Europe. Sporting director Ricardo Moreira has reportedly visited Spain several times to push the deal forward. Other MLS clubs are also interested in the 2018 World Cup winner, but the Florida club owns the discovery rights, which give them the right of first refusal for a player within the league. Griezmann could take the last designated player spot in Orlando, which allows him to earn a salary above the league-wide cap.

Griezmann to climb list of most expensive players ever?

While a move to MLS would signify a departure from European football for the French forward, it could also offer the 34-year-old star one final opportunity to earn a transfer fee before the end of his career. Following a €54m move from Real Sociedad to Atlético in 2014, then a €120m move to Barcelona five years later and then a €10m loan fee and subsequent €22m transfer back to the Spanish capital, Griezmann has demanded no less than €206m in transfer fees over the course of his career.

That staggering figure means the French international sits eighth on Transfermarkt’s list for the highest accumulative transfer fees ever, just behind Álvaro Morata (€217.2m) and João Félix (€223.1m). Ousmane Dembélé, who has earned €233m in transfer fees during his career, is the only French player to sit above Griezmann in the rankings. But if he does make the move to MLS for anything close to the aformentioned release clause, it could push the future Orlando star into sixth place on the list.