MANCHESTER UNITED fear they will lose out on landing long-term target Antoine Griezmann to Barcelona, according to reports.
Boss Jose Mourinho is a long-time admirer of the Atletico Madrid ace and wanted to break the club’s record transfer fee to sign him in the summer.
Atletico refused to sell as they underwent a transfer ban but with that being lifted in January, it is believed that the Frenchman is ready to move on.
But United could be left disappointed in their pursuit as it’s believed Griezmann prefers a mega-money deal to Barcelona.
The Catalan giants are still in the market for a forward to replace Neymar and have plenty of cash to burn.
The Independent report that senior figures at Atletico believe the deal is inevitable after he has already reportedly agreed personal terms.
He wants reassurances from Barcelona that they will stump up the huge figure needed to land his signature and that United is seen as a back-up option.
The France international doesn’t want a repeat of the transfer window in 2013 when he was on the brink of joining Arsenal before they pulled out of the deal in the final hours.
The forward revealed that he was told to “put all offers aside” and sign for the Gunners when he was still a Real Sociedad player.
most read in football
In his book, he writes: “I waited, I waited, and I kept waiting … when there was no news, Eric (his agent) called Grimandi (Arsenal’s scout), who said that the manager was still interested in me [and] to keep waiting.
“Finally a few hours before the market closed, he let us know Arsenal would not make a move. I don’t like to be told something and for it not to happen.
“So when Eric told me later that the London club were interested again I told him: ‘Forget it, after the blow they gave us.’”
Leave a comment