Why didn't Antoine Griezmann make MLS switch? Agent reveals two-year campaign to land French forward but failed to convince him to leave Atletico Madrid

Jerome Meary, a Major League Soccer agent, who specializes in high-profile transfers for the league, has revealed that they failed to convince Griezmann to depart Atletico Madrid despite desperately trying to sign him for two years. There was uncertainty surrounding Griezmann's future at Atleti, but the Frenchman signed a fresh two-year deal just ahead of the Club World Cup.

Last summer, the veteran attacking midfielder had clearly stated that Atletico Madrid would be his last club in Europe, hinting at a potential move outside Europe. “I have had offers and calls, but I have been clear – I want to stay at Atletico. I made a lot of effort to come back and be accepted. I want it to be my last club in Europe," he said at the time.

Griezmann has also flirted with the opportunity of playing in the MLS one day, with Los Angeles FC tipped to be one of his destinations in the past. In fact, a special €15 million release clause was inserted in his previous contract, potentially enticing sides from the USA.

Speaking as a guest on the After Foot show on Monday in New York, Meary said (h/t RMC Sport): "We've been trying to get him here for two years, and unfortunately it didn't happen. It was quite close at one point with Los Angeles, but it didn't happen. He had a very good offer from Atletico, it's his favorite club, that's it (...) I think he was really motivated to come to the US, but you're fighting against a club like Atletico where he's a legend, and they made a very good financial offer that we couldn't match."

Despite the disappointment of not seeing him in the MLS yet, Meary implied that the doors to a future move are still very much open. He explained: "These are family choices. Hugo [Lloris] came with a very small salary because he wanted to discover MLS, to bring his family. Olivier [Giroud], when he found out Hugo was coming, he thought it could be cool too. He didn't sign for the money, he could have earned three or four times more in Europe or Saudi Arabia. These are lifestyle choices."

The 34-year-old couldn't inspire Los Colchoneros to a bigger win against Botafogo on Monday, which saw them being eliminated from the group stage of the Club World Cup. He will now enjoy a much-deserved break and rejuvenate before linking up with his team-mates in the pre-season ahead of the 2025-26 campaign next month.