The transfer window is just hours from being officially open and while Manchester United may be quite in January, they will be anything but in the summer window.
The arrival of Antoine Griezmann is looking more and more likely by the day as Jose Mourinho attempts to find a long-term replacement for Wayne Rooney. The Frenchman could well cost even more than his close friend Paul Pogba but would unquestionably be worth it, boasting a supreme scoring record for Atletico Madrid.
The Sunday Times are reporting that the Special One is planning a raid of the Vincente Calderon with both Griezmann and his teammate Saul Niguez in his cross-hairs.
They claim the pair’s respective release clauses total £145 million but could potentially be negotiated down. Both agreed new deals last summer amidst rampant exit talks.
With Atleti manager Diego Simeone potentially leaving Los Rojiblancos at the end of the season, it’s almost impossible they would let two of their most prized assets go at such an important time.
Niguez, 22, could be seen as the man to replace another ageing Englishman, Michael Carrick. Now 35, the former Spurs man’s contract expires at the end of the season. With Morgan Schneiderlin set to leave the club and Jose seemingly reluctant to afford any chances to Timothy Fosu-Mensah or Sean Goss, United are certain to sign a midfielder this summer.
The report later adds that the Portuguese boss feels he needs a further “four or five signings” to bring his side back to the summit of English football.
A blank cheque sounds cliche, but United have the money to sign just about any player in world football.
They broke the bank to land Pogba in the summer – for an eye-watering £89million – and smashed the British transfer record to sign Angel Di Maria for £60m in 2014.
Money talks and Mourinho will know he will have to stump up big if he is to convince European clubs to part with their star assets.
United could also benefit from the sales of several stars, with over £50million worth of talent expected to leave Old Trafford next month.
If not, then the Glazer family should have enough money left in the bank to fund deals.