Atletico Madrid striker Antoine Griezmann has revealed he turned down the opportunity to hold talks with Paris Saint-Germain this summer in order to focus on his UEFA Euro 2016 campaign. Meanwhile, Arsenal are reportedly scouting Atalanta starlet Franck Kessie.
French newspaper Le Parisien (h/t Joe Short of the Daily Express) this week asked Griezmann if he was aware of rumours linking him with a move to Paris, to which he replied:
Yes, but as it was during Euros I told my agent I did not want to listen. I told him: 'I do not want you talking to me of Atletico or Paris - I want you to leave me in Clairefontaine.'
But I know they were very interested. They are a big club that wants to become even bigger. I hope for them that they will get there.
Short cited the Daily Star on Sunday when reporting the Gunners have shown an interest in Griezmann in recent times, although the France striker could prove too costly for the north Londoners.
Manager Arsene Wenger would be getting his hands on value for money in the eyes of Yahoo's Andrew Gaffney, however, who recently outlined the forward as one of the best in the world at what he does:
Griezmann has made a rapid rise into European football's elite ranks since joining Atletico from Real Sociedad in 2014 and has already netted four goals in four league appearances so far this season.
Talk is beginning to swirl regarding the player's potential candidacy for the 2016 Ballon d'Or after he appeared in UEFA Champions League and Euro 2016 finals, with Goal's Robin Bairner presenting the French media's outlook:
For the time being, Arsenal will likely continue to rely upon Griezmann's international team-mate Olivier Giroud as their main man up front, while Lucas Perez, Alexis Sanchez and Theo Walcott can offer alternatives in attack.
That being said, the Gunners may well hold out hope of a transfer in future after French daily L'Equipe reassured Griezmann's Premier League suitors a move could be possible, via Sport Witness:
Elsewhere, Wenger's side are also said to be hot on the tail of Atalanta youngster Kessie and are sending scouts to keep an eye on his progress after netting four goals in just six Serie A appearances this season.
That's according to Calciomercato (h/t Aaron Flanagan of the Mirror), which reported Chelsea are also understood to be in pursuit after the 19-year-old came close to joining Premier League rivals Sunderland this past summer.
Kessie's prolific start to the season is that much more impressive when one considers the teenager is usually deployed in a holding-midfield role.
It's evident he's discovered a scoring touch this season that could make him an even more versatile engine-room threat, and Arsenal appear eager to find out where his development takes him.