Antoine Griezmann is happy at Atletico Madrid but 'free to leave' if he wants, says Koke as Barcelona and Manchester United prepare to swoop

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Koke believes Antoine Griezmann is happy at Atletico Madrid, but warned that any player who is not focused on the club should head for the exit door.

Barcelona have ramped up their interest in the Atletico talisman and reports this week suggest the player is in advanced talks with the Catalan club after agreeing a deal in principle to move at the end of the season.

Catalan giants Barcelona look set to beat Manchester United — whose protracted interest in the Frenchman was one of last summer's biggest transfer sagas — to the punch.

Koke believes Antoine Griezmann is happy at Atletico Madrid but is 'free to leave' if he wants

He penned a new deal last summer but is reportedly in 'advanced talks' with Barcelona

But Koke, Griezmann's team-mate in the Spanish capital, believes the forward is content with life at his current club. 

'Talking about Griezmann, he had the chance to leave after the last season, but he didn't. So I think that means he likes it here,' said Koke.

'We always say if somebody doesn't like it here, he's free to leave. The club and I want the best, we want committed players.

'Those who aren't [committed], just have to ask for a transfer. We only want players who are 100 percent focused here.

'[Griezmann] does look committed to Atletico. In the last month, the reality is that we haven't been any good and little by little we will improve.'

Koke believes Griezmann 'likes it' at Atletico and hopes his focus stays on the job at hand

Atletico boss Diego Simeone ensured Griezmann's new contract had a £170m release clause

Many anticipated the 26-year-old sealing a move to Old Trafford in the summer but Atletico's transfer ban, upheld by FIFA, meant Diego Simeone held onto his main man.

And the Wanda Metropolitano side strengthened their hand when Griezmann agreed a new deal, doubling his release clause from £85million to £170m.

Barca, however, who signed Ousmane Dembele from Borussia Dortmund for £96m, are set to splash the eye-watering fee to bring the France international to the Nou Camp.

It is a move to further bolster their attack following the world-record transfer of Neymar to Paris Saint-Germain for £198m in the last window. 

Barca boss Ernesto Valverde will have to splash the eye-watering fee to bring Griezmann in