Manchester United may have spent £150 million in the summer but they are already setting their sights on their next big signing.
Jose Mourinho smashed the world transfer record to sign Paul Pogba for £89 million, and it seems that the Portuguese boss will need to spend in that region if he wants to get his number one target next summer.
That’s because numerous reports have suggested that Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann is wanted by Mourinho.
While a move from Atleti to United may seem unrealistic, there are plenty of reasons to suggest that it could actually happen.
Firstly, Griezmann has a great friendship with compatriot and United midfielder Pogba. Also, his brother – who is now his agent – is a big Red Devils fan and has constantly hinted at a possible move.
And a third reason to suggest that Griezmann could be on his way to the Theatre of Dreams came this weekend.
In an interview with Telefoot, the forward suggested that he would be keen on a move to the Premier League when his time at the Vicente Calderon came to an end.
“PSG are interesting but I am not interested in Ligue 1,” he said.
“I prefer La Liga or the Premier League, but it is not my goal to leave”.
#Telefoot
Griezmann : “PSG intéressant mais Ligue 1 non. Je préfère la Liga ou la Premier League. Pas dans l’objectif de partir” pic.twitter.com/2cSpHkZMgc— Téléfoot (@telefoot_TF1) November 27, 2016
United fans didn’t need a second invitation to put two and two together and read between the lines. In their eyes, Griezmann has just said: “I want to leave Atletico and join Manchester United”.
Take a look at the best responses below:
Imagine if we sign Gimenez in January and Griezmann in the summer
— henrik (@SuperMkhi) November 27, 2016
How good does this look? Could it happen? ??? @FullTimeDEVILS pic.twitter.com/LAbBWEN37S
— Jared (@J27Clark) November 26, 2016
@J27Clark @FullTimeDEVILS awesome…it shud happen….a player like griezmann belongs at man u!
— Elms Lee (@ElmsLee1) November 27, 2016
Antoine Griezmann at Manchester United football club, stuff of dreams. Can’t wait for the summer.
— Luke (@LukeLessUnited) November 27, 2016
Griezmann is obviously a quality player and has to play at 10 , hopefully Mkhitaryan at RW so what happens with Mata next season.
— Manchester United (@MufcunitedA) November 27, 2016
Getting a bit ahead of myself but Griezmann is making a lot of hints about a move to United
— Manchester United (@MufcunitedA) November 27, 2016
Lol Griezmann is gonna get a lot of haters when he joins United… ?
Same with what happened to Pogba… ?
— Micky Mkhitaryan ? (@FPL_Peasant) November 27, 2016
Only thing Griezmann hasn’t said yet is ‘ I want to join MUFC ‘ man outchea teasing and shit
— Psalmy (@7salmy) November 27, 2016
If Griezmann goes to anywhere but United I’ll deactivate.
— Ewan (@RuthlessAntoine) November 27, 2016
Without Champions League football, it may be difficult for Mourinho’s side to attract world-class talent next summer. However, that didn’t stop Pogba from leaving Serie A champions – and Champions League challengers – Juventus to join Europe League’s United.
It looks as though Atleti won’t be involved in a La Liga title race either this season – and could also miss out on a Champions League place themselves.
Diego Simeone’s side are sixth and are already 11 points behind Real Madrid at the top of the league. Not qualifying for Europe’s elite competition would surely see a few of their key players consider their future.
When you think about the financial power of United – with or without Champions League football – we simply can’t rule out Griezmann joining Pogba in Manchester.