Manchester United lead race for Antoine Griezmann with Atletico Madrid resigned to losing £80million star
ANTOINE GRIEZMANN is thought to be close to a £80million move to Manchester United.
Atletico Madrid believe they will lose the French striker in the summer and are already planning for his exit.
Wanted…Antoine Griezmann is on the radar of Europe’s finestGetty Images
The Spanish giants have always denied they will sell their star man at the end of the season.
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But it is understood Atletico chiefs are resigned to losing the 25-year-old as Europe’s top clubs circle, with United leading the hunt.
Atletico are hanging on to the slim hope of keeping the ex-Real Sociedad forward for one last season.
They want him to help their transition into a new 67,000-seater stadium along with boss Diego Simeone.
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An Atletico Madrid source said: “We know now we are going to lose Antoine, it is a matter of when not if.
“The club are hoping they can keep him and Diego Simeone for one last season, going into the new ground.
“It is going to be tough, though, as some big clubs around Europe are looking at buying him for a lot of money.”
Griezmann is thought to be close to joining Manchester United for £80mReutersAtletico hope they can keep Griezmann for one more season to help boss Diego Simeone settle the team into a new stadiumGetty Images
United could face competition from Paris St-Germain and Bayern Munich.
Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal are also looking at him, but could be priced out of any move.
Atletico have already started drawing up a list of replacements for Griezmann, who scored the winner on Saturday as Simeone’s side scrapped past struggling Granada 1-0 away from home.
That took his tally to an incredible 57 goals in 101 appearances for the Madrid-based club since joining them in 2014.
The Euro 2016 finalist cost Atletico £24m from Real Sociedad after they triggered his buy-out clause.
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