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Diego Simeone hopes Antoine Griezmann will stay at Atletico Madrid next season

Antoine Griezmann celebrates after completing his hat-trick against Leganes

Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone is hopeful a strong finish to the season will convince Antoine Griezmann to stay at the club.

Manchester United were interested in signing the French international last summer, while Barcelona have emerged as favourites to sign him at the end of this season, when his buy-out clause drops from €200m (£177.79m) to €100m (£88.9m).

Atletico currently trail Barcelona by 12 points in the race for the La Liga title, though they have a game in hand against Real Sociedad on Thursday evening, live on Sky Sports Football.

Simeone's side are also in the Europa League semi-finals, where they will face Arsenal in the first of two legs on April 26, and the Argentine hopes Griezmann can yet be persuaded that his future ambitions can be realised at the Wanda Metropolitano.

Diego Simeone hopes to convince Antoine Griezmann his future lies at Atletico Madrid
Image: Diego Simeone hopes to convince Antoine Griezmann his future lies at Atletico

Simeone said: "I hope that he can see in our training sessions that this is a team who will keep growing and continue to improve, the best thing for a player is to see he is growing alongside the team.

"So, if we end this season fighting for La Liga until the end of the season with Barcelona and get into the Europa League final, it will be a strong season for us.

"That will count in his decision, for sure. We have to give him our all as a team and give him the motivation he needs so that when it's time for a decision, he opts to stay with us."

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Griezmann, 27, has scored 19 goals and added eight assists in 28 La Liga appearances this season.

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