Griezmann gets the green light to leave as Manchester United and PSG wait in the wings

Europe’s top clubs have been placed on red alert after Atletico Madrid admitted for the first time that star striker Antoine Griezmann will be allowed to leave.

The huge development arrived when manager Diego Simeone revealed that the French forward won’t be made to stay in the Spanish capital.

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has been trying to sign the 26-year-old since he took over at Old Trafford.

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But with Atleti able to field new signing Diego Costa from New Year’s day with their transfer ban now almost up, they have conceded they are fighting a losing battle to keep Griezmann from the Premier League.

There’s speculation also that the striker could return to his homeland with Paris Saint Germain also linked with a big-money offer.

“Of course Griezmann will be able to leave at some point, the same way (Diego) Costa and Arda Turan were allowed to leave,” Simeone told l’Equipe.

“I love my players a lot and I love to see them grow. I am not ungrateful.

“If a player comes to me and says: ‘Coach, I have a once in a lifetime chance to play for a certain team, I want to leave’.

“If he did all he could for me as Griezmann does, I’ll say it’s no problem. I know that he needs to grow.”