France World Cup-winning attacker Antoine Griezmann is holding talks with Major League Soccer’s Orlando City, a source close to the discussions told AFP on Monday.<\/p>\n
Griezmann currently plays for Atletico Madrid, where he is the Spanish club’s all-time leading scorer, and also netted 44 goals in an illustrious career for his international side.<\/p>\n
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The 34-year-old’s potential move stateside has been rumored for years, with the player known to be an admirer of other American leagues such as the NBA and NFL.<\/p>\n
A source close to the player confirmed to AFP on Tuesday that “talks had taken place” between the two parties, but “nothing has yet has been agreed.”<\/p>\n
Griezmann’s transfer would be a further boost to the rapidly growing US soccer league.<\/p>\n
Orlando owns Griezmann’s “discovery rights” — an MLS mechanism giving one team the priority to negotiate a player’s transfer — the source said, confirming a report by The Athletic.<\/p>\n
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Though Griezmann is no longer a guaranteed starter for Atletico Madrid, he has already scored 12 goals in 35 appearances this season.<\/p>\n
The 2018 World Cup winner has scored 210 goals in total for the La Liga club — interrupted by a hiatus to Barcelona from 2019-2022 — and extended his contract in Madrid last year until June 2027.<\/p>\n
He retired from the French national side in 2024 having made 137 appearances.<\/p>\n
The MLS season began on Saturday, and its transfer window is open until late March, before re-opening mid-season during the summer.<\/p>\n
Orlando City failed to qualify for the last MLS playoffs, but has a history of big-name signings, with former players including Ballon d’Or winner Kaka.<\/p>\n
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