Shocking: Manchester United to axe Rooney!! World class replacement ready
Sep 2, 2016 at 3:46 PM
Manchester United are already working on a 2017 bid to replace Wayne Rooney with Atletico Madrid hitman Antoine Griezmann, according to Guardian.
Red Devils’ boss Jose Mourinho wasted no time in rebuilding the Old Trafford squad having replaced Louis van Gaal this summer with a world record deal to sign Paul Pogba, a free agent raid for Swedish star Zlatan Ibrahimovic, while Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Eric Baily also arrived.
However, with the window closing on Wednesday night, reports are suggesting the Portuguese tactician is looking ahead to next year with a raid for Griezmann mooted.
The 25-year-old France international had been heavily linked with a move away from Atletico Madrid, but in June he pledged his future to the Spanish outfit by signing a contract extension to keep him at the Vicente Calderon until summer 2021.
But that will not put off Mourinho, who sees Griezmann has an ideal replacement for Rooney in the attacking third of the field.
The former Chelsea boss has used the England captain in more of a forward role than Van Gaal, but could be set to drop him deeper if he is planning on signing Griezmann.
It’s difficult to imagine Mourinho offloading Rooney given that he has recently confirmed his plan to retire from international football with the Three Lions after the 2018 World Cup to help prolong his playing career at United.
As for the prospect of signing Griezmann, the player revealed his admiration for United when discussing fellow compatriot Pogba’s big-money switch there this summer.
“Manchester [United] is the perfect club for him, with Mourinho they are making something new,” he said.