THE FUSE

Following Atletico Madrid's victory over Club Brugge in the Champions League play-offs, the spotlight naturally fell on Diego Simeone and the future of his most creative asset. The Argentine manager, who has overseen the vast majority of Griezmann's peak years in Spain, was asked directly about the rumours swirling around the Frenchman's potential move to MLS. Rather than shutting down the speculation or offering a firm "not for sale" stance, Simeone’s response was notably reflective and emotionally charged, perhaps indicating that the wheels of a transfer are already in motion.