Real Sociedad midfielder Antoine Griezmann has admitted that Athletic Bilbao tried to sign him in the summer.
The 21-year-old recently penned a contract extension at Anoeta until 2016 after being linked with a move away from the club last year, when he fell out with supporters following rumours of a transfer to Atletico Madrid.
However, Griezmann says he is now perfectly happy in San Sebastian but disclosed he had the chance to join Basque neighbours Bilbao recently.
“Athletic did ask me about things but I didn’t pay it any attention and that was that,” Griezmann told Mundo Deportivo in Bratislava, where he was preparing with the French Under-21 team for the game against Slovakia.
“I didn’t give it any thought. I just want to carry on playing for Real. I feel very well there and I am not thinking about anything else.”
Griezmann revealed that the Txuri-urdin wanted to tie him to an even longer agreement until 2017.
“We had been speaking for almost a year and particularly so in the last month and a half, but 2017 is a long time off and I know I still have a lot to learn here.
“I am enjoying things both on and off the pitch. Besides, I get on very well with my teammates and when they asked me sign a new contract the answer was a definite ‘yes’.”
Asked if his future lay outside Spain, with talk of a move to either England or France having been mooted in the past, Griezmann was adamant he wanted to remain in Spain.
“I love La Liga and also Real. I want to stay here. When my friends in the national team ask me how things are I always tell them the same, that I am happy there and enjoying myself,” he replied.
