Manchester United are using Paul Pogba to try and convince Antoine Griezmann to leave Atletico Madrid and move to Old Trafford in the summer, reports the Daily Record.

What's the word?

Griezmann has been heavily linked with the Red Devils for some time, and speculation fuelled when Memphis Depay vacated the number seven shirt following his switch to Lyon.

The Daily Record claims that United made approaches about a potential deal at the end of last season, but knew that a deal was unlikely to happen while Griezmann focused on France’s Euro 2016 campaign.

The publication adds that the Red Devils are determined to land him this time around, and are using Pogba as part of their recruitment strategy.

The midfielder, who re-signed for United last summer from Juventus in a world-record £89m deal, plays with Griezmann on the international stage and the pair are believed to be good friends.

The Atletico striker himself told Sky Germany in November that he would like to one day work with Pogba at club level, but played down any plans of a transfer.

"You hear a lot of things [speculation] about Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain but right now I don't see me moving to a new club. But it would be awesome to play alongside Paul one day.”

Pogba is regularly speaking to Griezmann about a possible move, with the Daily Record’s sources claiming that the 23-year-old is speaking to his France teammate “almost every day to push him to go”.

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Is this transfer likely?

United’s stature in the game and the money that they can offer in wages puts them in a pool of clubs that could realistically lure Griezmann away from Atletico.

The amount of reports constantly linking the Frenchman to Old Trafford suggests that there is a real interest from United, and very rarely do they not get their target.

The Red Devils are one of the biggest clubs in England, if not the biggest, so if Griezmann wants to test himself in the Premier League, United would be ideal.

He would more than likely receive a huge salary and would be a regular starter for Jose Mourinho, who also could be a big draw for the 25-year-old considering his pedigree in the game.

On a personal level for Griezmann, he would also be given the chance to play alongside Pogba, which is already a desire of his.

The transfer would be a huge boost for United, and it could transform the North-West outfit into Premier League and Champions League contenders again.

Griezmann has scored 63 goals in La Liga and in Europe in 121 appearances since joining the club from Real Sociedad in 2014.

The only sticking point in this deal would be the price tag, with reports claiming that a €100m (£84.9m) release clause was written into the striker’s contract, which does not expire until 2021.

Although, United have the financial clout that could meet that staggering figure.

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