Sporting Kansas City manager Peter Vermes breaks his silence on Antoine Griezmann rumors... after Atletico Madrid star was pictured swapping jerseys with Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes
Source: Dailymail

Published: 16:28 EST, 14 November 2023 | Updated: 16:28 EST, 14 November 2023

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Sporting Kansas City coach Peter Vermes has addressed rumors linking Atletico Madrid and France striker Antoine Griezmann to the MLS side.

The whispers sprung from a jersey swap between Griezmann, 32, and Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes before Kansas City played against the Miami Dolphins in Frankfurt, Germany. Mahomes is also a part owner of Sporting KC.

During an open practice on Tuesday, Vermes, 56, was asked if he has been in contact with Griezmann, to which he simply answered 'no'.

'He's a great player,' Vermes said of the Frenchman. 'Fantastic. Big time quality. He's a world class player. If he's interested, then he'd be a good player to start recruiting.'

While under contract with Atletico until 2026, Griezmann has repeatedly expressed his interest in playing in the United States in the future.

Sporting Kansas City manager Peter Vermes broke silence about Antoine Griezmann rumors Sporting Kansas City manager Peter Vermes broke silence about Antoine Griezmann rumors Sporting Kansas City manager Peter Vermes broke silence about Antoine Griezmann rumors

Griezmann admitted to eyeing the MLS after N'Golo Kante and Karim Benzema signed massive contracts to play in Saudi Arabia.

'I understand those who have to go there; we're talking about incredible sums of money,' Griezmann said. 'Could I go? I have a family, three children. It's not an easy decision to make. The MLS is still my priority.'

The Atletico Madrid striker is under contract until 2016 but expressed interest in the MLS The Atletico Madrid striker is under contract until 2016 but expressed interest in the MLS The Atletico Madrid striker is under contract until 2016 but expressed interest in the MLS

'I've always said that my objective would be to end there,' Griezmann told the Daily Mail in August. 'I like American sports, I'd like to play in MLS and to enjoy playing there - to be competitive, to be able to win there and to play at my top level.'

Griezmann's love for American sports has long been recorded with his frequent presence at NBA games. Griezmann is particularly known to be a fan of former NBA MVP and Memphis Grizzlies guard Derrick Rose. Griezmann also started enjoying baseball and American football while playing Fantasy leagues.

Sporting KC will play against the Houston Dynamo in the Western Conference semifinal on October 26.

Sporting KC finished the regular season with a 12-14-8 record, barely clinging on to the eighth-seed to become the dark horse of the MLS Cup Playoffs.