Griezmann To Manchester United Latest: Top Journalist Adds New Twist
Jan 22, 2017 at 1:45 AM
The Future of Atletico Madrid Star Antoine Griezmann has been a constant source of speculation since last summer as Manchester United were linked with the Frenchman consistently.
Regarded as one of Europe’s top attacking midfielders, Griezmann has been linked not only with the Manchester club but also Arsenal, Chelsea and Paris Saint Germain.
A known close friend of compatriot Paul Pogba, United’s world record signing from last summer, it has become almost assumed in recent months that the two France internationals were ultimately destined to link up at Old Trafford sooner rather than later.
Only this week, Atletico boss Diego Simeone publicly admitted that he would not prevent the 25-year-old from leaving if that is what he wanted.
However, top Spanish football journalist Guillem Balague has put the brakes on the seemingly inevitable arrival of Griezmann at Old Trafford, for now at least.
There is NO agreement Griezmann/United at this stage. Do they want him? Of course. Has he decided on his future? Definitively not yet pic.twitter.com/qWvVx5SFyg
— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) January 20, 2017
The club president of Atletico Madrid, Enrique Cerezo, has delivered his latest warning to United over their interest in Griezmann by insisting he will not willingly sell the France international this summer.
United are prepared to trigger Griezmann’s €100m [£86m] release clause if Atletico decide to play hardball over his transfer fee, though the club will endeavour to try and sign him for a reduced fee if the La Liga side are willing to negotiate.
While this should certainly temper fans’ excitement and anticipation, Balague’s comments has left the door still swinging open for the move to take place in the future, insisting that no agreement is in place between the player and United, yet.
Griezmann has emerged as one of La Liga’s most talented finishers during his two-and-a-half years in Spain, but with his reputation comes a desire from Atletico not to let him leave as their best strikers have done so in the past.
Speaking this week, Cerezo insisted: “I don’t tie anybody down.
“There are many offers. I don’t know what will come of Manchester United’s interest. What I can say though is that Griezmann will be an Atletico player for a long time.”
So as fans sit back down and take a deep breath, it’s clear there is still a long way to go before Antoine Griezmann makes any kind of decision about his future and even when he does, whether or not Manchester will be the place he sees that future unfolding.