SAUL NIGUEZ has backed Atletico Madrid to succeed with or without Antoine Griezmann.
The wantaway French forward has been tipped for months to join Manchester United and last week stirred interest with a series of quotes.
But his team-mate Niguez, 22, reckons Atleti can succeed without his 26 goals.
He told Marca: “If Antoine Griezmann leaves, we have Torres, Gameiro, Correa and Carrasco.
“He is a very important player for us, we know the quality he has, but most importantly no one player is above the club.”
The club said goodbye to their famous ground the Vicente Calderon over the weekend as they played an exhibition match against a World XI – who won 5-4.
Diego Simeone‘s side are due to move into the brand new Wanda Metropolitano in Madrid as of next season, with the finishing touches being put to the stadium.
And Atleti were frustrated by their cross-town rivals Real Madrid yet again in the league and in the Champions League, as they were knocked out in the semi-finals.
Saul added: “In the end, Antoine Griezmann can manage his future as he wishes.
“He is with us. We are waiting for him in pre-season and finally his future he will decide.”
Last week, Griezmann expressed his desire to fight for trophies and play elsewhere, with a series of offers on the table and said his chances of leaving for United are “six out of ten.”
The 26-year-old said: “Today if I have to move, it will be no problem.
“It may be England because it is the trend, Germany, China and the United States.
“I’m ready to go.
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“With Atletico have had a final and a semi final of the Champions League, we’re close, but we lack something.
“The club will see what to do, it will depend on the transfer [situation].
“I do not know if they understand, but all the players, the media, my family know that I love football to win trophies, to have these strong emotions. I want to taste [success].”
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