Prime Time Sport CEO Esteve Calzada believes that Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann could move to Manchester United but not Arsenal and here’s why.
While Calzada isn’t Griezmann’s agent, he’s been the CEO of PTS for almost a decade, is the former Chief Marketing & Commercial Officer for Barcelona, as well as the Senior Advisor for Manchester City. Therefore, it stands to reason that he knows the industry well.
Calzada believes that Griezmann is more likely to join United because they’re essentially a bigger team than Arsenal. They’re a larger brand, which the France international needs, and, whether Gooners like it or not, still one of the biggest teams in the world despite their lack of recent success.
“Griezmann is definitely up there, but still a step behind,” he said. “That could come with Atletico maybe winning the Champions League. Or with a move to one of the top three or four clubs in the world.
“That is the only step he is missing to be in line with these top players. When you work for a club like the ones we are describing, in a good year, I would expect him to collect with other teams maybe €3 million to €5m, only in image rights income. Maybe even more if he goes to a bigger club. Playing in the UK is always more lucrative, as the market is bigger than the Spanish market, for instance.”
Separately, Calzada also pointed out, “Griezmann has a large collection of brands which is very remarkable considering he is not playing for any of the really top teams. Atletico are a big team, but they are not Barcelona or Real Madrid or Manchester United. [Still] he is in the spotlight all the time.”
Calzada went on to explain that Arsenal are still behind United.
Griezmann is tied down to a contract with Atletico until 2021 with a reported €110m release clause. However, United are capable and allegedly willing to pay this.
The 25-year-old has scored 21 goals in 39 appearances over all competitions so far this season.