Man United now off Griezmann’s trail
Atletico player has scored 83 goals in 160 games for club
London – Manchester United have cooled their interest in signing Atletico Madrid’s French forward Antoine Griezmann, a source close to the club confirmed yesterday.
Europa League winners United were reported to be plotting an approach for 26year-old Griezmann. But a source confirmed reports in several British media outlets that United have shifted their focus. The club are thought to have instead prioritised the acquisition of a more conventional centre-forward.
United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has sustained a longterm knee injury and is due to be out of contract at the end of the month.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport yesterday upheld a transfer ban against Atletico over irregularities in the signing of foreign players under the age of 18. It means the Madrid club will not be able to register new players until January next year.
Atletico were reportedly intending to sell Griezmann and replace him with his France teammate Alexandre Lacazette of Lyon.
Griezmann has dropped hints about wanting to move to Old Trafford in recent weeks.
In a recent French television appearance, he said there was a “6/10” chance of him joining United and a “7/10” chance of him staying at Atletico.
Griezmann joined Atletico in 2014 and has scored 83 goals in 160 games for the club. –