On Thursday, the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) rejected Atletico Madrid’s appeal against a transfer ban imposed by FIFA.
This means the Diego Simeone’s side cannot register new players until January 2018.
CAS verdict will surely have an impact of the summer plans of not just Atletico Madrid, but that of Manchester United and possibly Chelsea.
United have been strongly linked to Antoine Griezmann. The La Liga club will be reluctant to part with their star forward, especially as they cannot bring in any replacement until next year. However, it will be hard to keep Griezmann if United are willing to pay his €100million (£83.7m) release clause.
One of the potential replacements Atletico were eyeing for Griezmann, is Lyon’s Alexandre Lacazette. The France international has already confirmed he is leaving the Ligue 1 outfit and Sky Sports reports both clubs were in advanced negotiations for the 25-year-old. All that will be put on hold, as they cannot register the player. It however opens the door for Arsenal, who have been long time admirers of Lacazette.
There were also speculations that Diego Costa could return to Simeone’s side, with the striker admitting that he would either stay at Chelsea or return to Spain. That dream might not materialise soon either.
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