Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann says that the chance to work with Diego Simeone helped him reject a move to Arsenal this summer.
The former Real Sociedad man joined Atletico Madrid this summer after impressing with the Basque side, but further reports confirm that he could have been lining up at Emirates stadium for Arsenal after a bid was made and accepted.
The French international has now taken time out of his preparations with the national team to discuss the reasons why he chose Atletico Madrid over the Gunners, explaining that he was keen to work with Diego Simeone.
“Why Spain and not elsewhere? This is my championship, my home. I’m happy here and Atletico is a great club. The [champions] were willing to pay €30 million [£23.8m] for me,” he told France Football.
“I had the boss on the phone. He motivated me and said the club really wanted me. I knew that I was coming here to learn.
“Was it weird when PSG and Arsenal were also interested? [Atletico are] still the champions of Spain!
“I needed a club like that and a coach like Diego Simeone to progress. I always demands intensity in training. That’s my style and I like it.”