FRENCHMAN Antoine Griezmann has sensationally returned to Atletico Madrid on loan from Barcelona in one of the biggest moves of transfer deadline day Tuesday.
The switch was confirmed late on Tuesday night by both clubs after intense negotiations all day.
“Antoine Griezmann returns to Atlético de Madrid after our club and FC Barcelona reached an agreement over a one-year loan with an option to extend for a further year, renewable by either party,” Atletico stated on their official website.
Griezmann, 30, first joined Atletico Madrid ahead of the 2014/15 season, and is the club’s all-time fifth top scorer with 133 goals in 257 matches.
He also provided 50 assists.
During his first spell at the club, the France forward won one Spanish Super Cup, one Europa League and one UEFA Super Cup. He also came in third in the 2018 Ballon d’Or – the same year he won the World Cup with his national team.
Also on Tuesday night, Atletico Madrid were involved in another big loan move, this time an outgoing deal.
The Spaniards sent midfielder Saul Niguez out on loan to Chelsea.
“We have completed the signing of Saul Niguez from Atletico Madrid on a season-long loan deal with an option for a permanent transfer at the end of the season,” Chelsea confirmed on Tuesday night.
Saul, 26, said he was looking forward to playing in the Premier League for the first time in his career.
“I am very excited to start this new challenge with Chelsea,” he said.
“Blues fans, I am one of you now and I can’t wait to wear the shirt, start training and see all of you. See you soon!”
Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia added: “We welcome Saul to the Club and believe he completes our squad as we compete for honours in five different competitions this season.
He is a proven winner, a player with huge experience and we know he will be very well-suited to the challenges that face us on all fronts in the coming year.”
Saul began his youth career at Real Madrid before switching to Atletico, where he has played 447 matches and scored 53 goals.
He has won the LaLiga title once, Europa League twice, the Copa del Rey, the Spanish and UEFA Super Cups.
Chelsea’s London rivals Arsenal were not left out of deadline day deals, as they brought in defender Takehiro Tomiyasu from Italy.
The deal is reportedly worth around €20m.
“Japan international Takehiro Tomiyasu has joined us from Serie A side Bologna on a long-term contract,” the Gunners announced.
“The 22-year-old defender started his career in his homeland with Avispa Fukuoka, where he developed through their youth ranks before making 45 first-team appearances between 2015 and 2017.
“In January 2018 Takehiro moved to Europe, signing for Belgian club Sint-Truiden, where he spent 18 months – during which time he was voted as the club’s player of the season for the 2018/19 campaign.”
Tomiyasu completed a move to Bologna in July 2019 and made 63 appearances in his two seasons with the Serie A club.
Arsenal’s technical director Edu said: “We’re delighted to have signed Takehiro. We’ve been watching him for a while now and we’re pleased that we have reached an agreement with Bologna. He is an important addition to our squad.”
Manager Mikel Arteta added: “Takehiro is a strong defender with good experience in Serie A and at international level. He’s a versatile defender with great defensive qualities, high technical ability and composure on the ball. He
will be an important member of our squad. We look forward to Takehiro joining up with us when he returns from international duty.”
Tomiyasu has has made 23 appearances for the Japan national team and was a member of their recent Olympic squad, making three appearances at the Tokyo Olympic Games.
He will wear the number 18 shirt.
