Barcelona star Antoine Griezmann returns to Atletico Madrid

Antoine Griezmann WILL be returning to Atletico Madrid on loan, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Frenchman will stay at the club until June 2022 with an option to buy for £34.3million.

When the move becomes permanent, Griezmann will be under contract for two years with an option for a third.

The French ace has failed to live up to expectations at the Nou Camp two years after departing the Wanda Metropolitano.

He has scored just 35 times in 102 games in all competitions, with the 30-year-old without a goal or assist from his three starts this term.

The 2018 World Cup winner was in talks with Atletico earlier in the summer in a swap deal with Saul Niguez, but the potential deal collapsed.

Willian’s agent takes swipe at Arsenal

Willian’s agent Kia Joorabchian has taken a swipe at Arsenal saying there is no ‘project’ at the club.

The former Chelsea star joined Arsenal last summer for the ‘project’, but failed to make an impact.

The Brazilian essentially tore up his contract, saving Arsenal £20million, allowing him to re-join boyhood club Corinthians.

Joorabchian told talkSPORT: “I think Willian did the right thing, he went for the project and the project wasn’t there.

“Unfortunately, I’d have to say, which player has moved to Arsenal that has not been a disaster in the last couple of years? That one I speak as a fan.

“I don’t think this is about Willian. I think something has gone wrong [at Arsenal] and this is just one piece of the puzzle.

“Nobody blames Arteta, we all want Arteta to do well. Even as fans, they might be disgruntled at the moment but they want the best for the football club. Willian wants all the success for Arteta and this Arsenal team.”

Ethan Ampadu signs new three-year contract at Stamford Bridge, joins Serie A club on loan

Chelsea’s Ethan Ampadu has signed a new three-year contract at Stamford Bridge, but there’s no time to celebrate – he’s off to Italy to play for Venezia.

The 20-year-old, who can operate in defence or midfield, has joined the Serie A club on loan until the end of the season in order to gain more top-flight experience.

The Welsh international featured 25 times for Sheffield United during their ill-fated Premier League campaign last term, having joined the Blades on a similar loan deal.

The defender has been on the Chelsea books since 2017, but had loan spells with RB Leipzig and Sheffield United.

He turns 21 next month and was sent off for Wales against Italy during UEFA EURO 2020.

Blues fans excited over Chelsea’s Saul Niguez breakthrough

Chelsea fans are delighted to hear that there has been a breakthrough in the Saul Niguez talks, with the club actively working on getting the deal done before the 11pm deadline.

The 26-year-old has been the main midfielder target being pursued by Thomas Tuchel as the German aims to add sufficient backup to Mateo Kovacic, Jorginho, and the injury-prone Ngolo Kante.

It had seemed likely that a deal would not go through before the August 31 deadline, with reports coming out that Atletico were struggling to source a replacement.

Coupled with this, the Blues’ demand for an option to buy instead of an obligation to do so had put a halt to any talks that were going on between the two clubs.

However, this has all been resolved as Marina Granvoskaia and co. face a race against time to conclude the potential loan deal for the La Liga midfielder.

Here is how a selection of Chelsea fans reacted to the latest developments.

@CFCPrix tweeted: ‘SAUL IS PUSHINGGGGGGGG.’

@PayneCFC like many other supporters is delighted to hear this news: ‘YESS PLEASE.

‘Forget Kounde focus on Saul. we really need him.’

@therealbluefan has stated: ‘Mighty chelsea are back.’

@surennn11 isn’t surprised with this development: ‘Never ever doubt our pull power.’

@CfcMount4 has demanded more after this Saul news: ‘Koundee we want Koundeeee hope we get Saul but we also want Koundee.’

@Emenalo similarly put: ‘And now active Koundé’s clause late on and leave Monchi scrambling.’

Finally, @C10410511611497 tweeted: ‘He wants to join. They can’t find replacement. Just take Barkley instead. Simple. Deal done.’