Atletico Madrid rule out selling Antoine Griezmann this winter as Barcelona and Manchester United circle

The La Liga side are determined to hang onto their prize possession

The France international will not be leaving the club this summer (Getty)

Atlético Madrid have assured their fans that Antoine Griezmann will not leave the team during the winter transfer window, following rumours that he could move to either Barcelona or Manchester United.

“It is impossible that he will leave this team before the summer,” Miguel Angel Gil Marín, Atlético Madrid’s CEO, told Spanish TV channel Mega.

“We made a great effort to join Griezmann and Diego Costa and I think that it is going to be really good for both of them to play together. It is going to be very positive for Atlético as well as for the manager. Until 1 July his (Griezmann) clause is €200m.”

In the summer that buyout clause will halve, although Gil Marín has insisted that they would like to keep the French star at the Wanda Metropolitano.

“Atlético do not want to sell him neither now nor in summer,” he added.

“He is a very important player for us, who has grown up with us as we have done with him. Our intention is to keep growing together. I would really like him to continue with us.”

Moreover, Gil Marín also highlighted the importance of Atlético’s boss Diego Simeone and his hope that the Argentinian manager will continue for many years leading Los Rojiblancos.

“I know Diego pretty well and I know that Atlético Madrid is his place in the world,” he said.

“It has been a blessing for both of us. We still have this season and two more together. It is reasonable that we will stay longer together while we continue growing.”

Atlético Madrid will add at least two players during the winter transfer market. Both Diego Costa and Vitolo were signed in the summer but a Fifa transfer penalty meant they were unable to play during the first half of the season.

Atlético need the pair to hit the ground running: the club currently trail league leaders Barcelona by nine points and have already been knocked out of the Champions League.