- Diego Simeone has talked down rumours that Antoine Griezmann wants to leave
- Atletico Madrid were eliminated from the Champions League on Tuesday night
- However, Simeone says playing in the Europa League is ‘a new challenge’ for him
- The Frenchman has been linked with moves to Barcelona and Manchester United
Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone has denied suggestions that Antoine Griezmann could leave the club following their exit from the Champions League on Tuesday evening.
The Spanish side could only manage a third-place finish in their group following their 1-1 draw with Chelsea, which sees them bow out of Europe’s elite club competition and drop into the Europa League.
The French forward has been linked with a move away from the Wanda Metropolitano in recent months with both Barcelona and Manchester United keen to secure his services.
Antoine Griezmann has been linked with a move away from Atletico Madrid in recent months
Atletico boss Diego Simeone has played down rumours that the Frenchman could leave soon
The rumours of a potential exit have now intensified especially since Atletico can’t offer Champions League football this season.
However, Simeone reassured journalists that the club’s talisman won’t be going anywhere soon.
When asked about whether the club’s elimination from the Champions League would affect Griezmann’s future, Simeone insisted: ‘On the contrary. It is a new challenge.
‘Everything that is bad, we make it into a positive.’
The Frenchman has scored seven goals this campaign in what has been a slow start to the first half of his season.
Despite being linked away from the club, the 26-year-old did sign an extension on his contract at the beginning of the season.
Atletico, who sit third in La Liga, were banned from bringing in any new players over the summer but will be able to add new personnel in January.
The 26-year-old looks dejected following the club’s elimination from the Champions League