Chelsea’s Griezmann hopes dented by huge release clause

Chelsea’s hopes of signing Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann this summer have been dealt a blow after being told to pay his release clause of £46m.

It is believed that the French international is wanted by Jose Mourinho as part of his plans to build a Champions League winning side this summer.

Griezmann has been in superb form this season for Atletico Madrid following his £24m switch from Real Sociedad, scoring 22 goals in 33 league games.

Reports of Mourinho’s interest in the Frenchman surfaced earlier this month, and the Premier League champions were seemingly given the green light to make that move after the Spanish side looked to complete a move for Spurs winger Erik Lamela as his replacement.

However, it is now understood that Chelsea have backed out of any such move after being told they must pay the full £46m release clause for Griezmann.

The English club had hoped that the Spanish side would budge on their demands, but that is now not the case.