Antoine Griezmann close to leaving La Liga for first time as club considers triggering stunning release clause

Antoine Griezmann has been one of the modern legends of Atletico Madrid but the Frenchman's long spell in the Spanish capital could be coming to an end soon.

The 33-year-old has spent much of his career with Atleti, scoring 181 goals in 389 games for the Madrid outfit.

Griezmann joined Atletico from Real Sociedad in 2014 for £24m, spending the next five seasons at Diego Simeone's side.

In 2019, Barcelona came calling and reportedly met Griezmann's €120m (£101m) buy-out clause, but his form at the Camp Nou tailed off over time and he ended up moving back to Simeone's side on loan in 2021.

Griezmann's switch back to the Madrid side was made permanent again in 2022, with his current deal there poised to expire in the summer of 2026.

During his time with Atleti, France international Griezmann has won the Spanish Super Cup, the Europa League and the UEFA Super Cup.

With with his national side, Griezmann has scored 44 goals in 135 caps - winning both the 2018 World Cup and the 2021 UEFA Nations League titles with Les Bleus.

Griezmann turned 33 earlier this year and the attacker has no fewer than 24 months remaining on his Atletico deal, meaning the Spanish side are not under any immediate pressure to sell their talisman.

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However, this could be taken out of the Spanish side's hands. Details of Griezmann's release clause have now emerged, as well as the prospect of an MLS side who are interested in triggering it.

According to French publication L'Equipe, Los Angeles FC have registered an interest in bringing Griezmann to the United States, a common destination for European players nearing the end of their professional careers.

The report claims that Griezmann's release clause stands at only £8.5m, a fee which would be within LA FC's abilities to meet.

The player has previously stated he intends to head across the Atlantic following the next World Cup in 2026, which will be co-hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico.

There is now the prospect Griezmann's move could take place a few years earlier, though it remains unclear if the Frenchman would accept a move to California earlier than he originally planned.