Manchester United are unlikely to add Atlético Madrid and France star Antoine Griezmann to Erik ten Hag’s squad at Old Trafford, transfer insider Dean Jones has suggested to GiveMeSport.
The forward has just returned from World Cup duty, having helped Les Bleus reach a second consecutive final before a penalty shootout defeat to Argentina denied them a third world title.
Man Utd transfer news – Antoine Griezmann
Sources in Spain last week indicated that Manchester United had launched a £52.5m bid for Griezmann, as ten Hag looks towards finding a forward replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo, whose contract was terminated last month following an explosive interview with Piers Morgan.
With Atlético being unable to qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League, it is suggested that the La Liga club are expected to encounter some financial problems, potentially forcing them to sell some of their star assets.
The 31-year-old only re-signed for the Madrid side in October, having left for Barcelona in a £103m deal three years previously.
But Jones can’t foresee a situation in which the Frenchman signs for ten Hag’s side in the January transfer market.
What has Jones said about Man Utd and Griezmann?
When asked about the possibility of Griezmann making the move to Old Trafford, Jones told GiveMeSport: “I’ll be absolutely amazed if Griezmann lands at Man Utd. I don’t know in what world that would come through at the moment.
“He’s had a brilliant World Cup. I’m not sure Diego Simeone will be playing him in the same role he played for France but I certainly think he’ll be playing him. I don’t see that United are going to be getting Griezmann soon.”
Would Griezmann be a good signing for Man Utd?
Whilst Griezmann has had an excellent career and is coming off the back of an exceptional World Cup campaign, it seems unlikely that United would be willing to spend the money required to bring the 31-year-old to Old Trafford.
The £211k-per week star appeared in all seven matches during Didier Deschamps’ side’s run to the World Cup final, providing three assists as he played in a free-roaming attacking midfield role in Qatar, according to Transfermarkt.
An average WhoScored rating of 7.52 for his showings in the Middle East ranked him as France’s second-best performer behind Kylian Mbappé as the two-time winners went on to secure a runners-up medal in the sport’s biggest competition.
However, despite United’s need for an extra forward, a move for Griezmann seems a little far-fetched at the time of writing, with the club likely to turn to younger options to supplement ten Hag’s squad.
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