Antoine Griezmann to Manchester United could be the transfer saga of 2017.
The Atletico Madrid forward is already being linked with a move to Old Trafford – eight months before the 2017 summer transfer window opens.
It’s easy to see why United would want Griezmann and why the links are being made. The club flexed their financial muscle in the summer by breaking the world transfer record for Paul Pogba, and would undoubtedly be equipped to meet Griezmann’s €100m release clause, or come close enough to tempt Atletico.
Griezmann has been brilliant for Diego Simeone’s side since signing from Real Sociedad two years ago, scoring 63 goals in 115 games and starred for France at Euro 2016.
He also beat Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Neymar and Andreas Iniesta to the award for best player in La Liga last season.
Antoine Griezmann is the ‘Best Player of LaLiga Santander 2015/16’!https://t.co/nZWrMQfnbU #PremiosLaLiga pic.twitter.com/duz2epr4Tg
— LALIGA English (@LaLigaEN) October 24, 2016
United undoubtedly need reinforcements in forward positions. Zlatan Ibrahmovic isn’t getting any younger and Wayne Rooney is, well Wayne Rooney, and faces an uncertain future at the club.
While any decision Griezmann takes could be influenced by whether Simeone remains at Atletico. The highly-rated Argentine recently had his contract reduced by his own request, and it will now expire in 2018.
There appears to be a number of factors in United’s favour in their pursuit of Griezmann, but Paris Saint-Germain’s reported interest could scupper a deal for Jose Mourinho’s side.
According to Spanish media outlet Sport, PSG’s sporting director Patrick Kluivert has made the 25-year-old their main transfer target for next summer’s window.
The French club are understood to be seeking a replacement for Ibrahimovic, both in terms of impact on the pitch and a player to be the face of the club, and see Griezmann as being capable of doing both.
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