According to reports in the Daily Mail, Manchester United target Antoine Griezmann has hinted that he could stay at Atletico Madrid as he has unfinished business at the club.
What’s the word, then?
Well, the France international – who has a release clause of around £90m – is said to be Red Devils manager Jose Mourinho’s priority transfer target this summer as he looks to make his team contenders in the Premier League and Champions League next season.
Even though United could only finish sixth in the league, they qualified for Europe’s elite club competition by winning the Europa League against Ajax on Wednesday and now they need reinforcements for what is going to be another heavily congested fixture list next term.
The Portuguese boss was hoping to sign Griezmann, but now the 26-year-old has suggested that he could stay with the La Liga side.
What did he say?
After winning the club’s Player of the Season award, Griezmann spoke to the official Atletico Madrid website to give his thoughts.
The Frenchman said: “It has been a great year and I hope I can get better and win trophies with this team.
“I will do everything possible. We are very happy. We have reached our objective, we maybe wanted more, but it could not be.”
Does that mean he will stay?
It’s difficult to say.
While he will obviously not state that he will leave the club to the official club website, it all could depend on Manchester United and whether they are willing to pay the huge fee it will take to bring him to England.
And will they be?
If Mourinho wants him, they have to.
United certainly need a new forward with Zlatan Ibrahimovic currently sidelined with a serious knee injury and Wayne Rooney’s future in doubt, and they know they may have to spend big money to sign Griezmann after he scored 26 goals in 53 appearances this season.
As they proved last summer when they brought Paul Pogba back to the club, money isn’t an issue.
What’s the verdict, then?
Well, Griezmann would probably love to stay and win trophies at Atletico Madrid if it was possible but after finishing quite a way behind Real Madrid and Barcelona in La Liga this season, a move to Manchester United – who have just won the Europa League – could be attractive.
https://video.footballfancast.com/video-2015/antoine-gr.mp4