Griezmann to United makes perfect sense
EVEN at £85m, Antoine Griezmann represents the value option for Jose Mourinho this summer.
United plan to activate the Atletico Madrid striker’s release clause after Mourinho identified him as his priority target for the upcoming transfer window.
A bidding war – with City and Paris St Germain also interested – could see his price rise, but United are prepared to pay what is necessary to sign the most sought-after player in Europe.
A year after breaking the world record to bring Paul Pogba back to Old Trafford, executive vice chairman Ed Woodward will try to push through a transfer that could exceed the £89m it cost to complete that deal.
But even at those figures, United are aware Griezmann is available for a relative bargain in what will be a sellers’ market.
Monaco have quoted valuations of more than £100m for Kylian Mbappe amid interest from City.
Pep Guardiola had identified the 18-year-old as a potential target in his first summer at the Etihad and was prepared to pay in excess of £30m. But even City have baulked at the astronomical fees Monaco are demanding for the teenager, who has lit up the Champions League. Mourinho, too, would be far more comfortable putting his faith in a 26-year-old, proven at the highest level over a prolonged period.
Even a contract worth around £300,000-a-week will be comfortably absorbed at Old Trafford, with the club’s wage bill set to be relieved of a good £600,000-a-week when Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s oneyear deal expires, combined with Wayne Rooney’s expected departure.
In terms of commercial revenue created by Griezmann’s arrival, the French international is a significantly more attractive proposition than Mbappe, Lukaku and Belotti – arguably combined.
United know it would be merchandising gold to hand him their iconic No7 shirt.
He is already an ambassador for Gillette - following in the footsteps of Lionel Messi, Neymar and a former United No7 in David Beckham.
His poster boy looks, allied with his match-winning ability on the pitch, have become hugely marketable over the past couple of years – to the point that he stands alongside heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua as a brand ambassador for Appleowned Beats headphones.
Boot manufacturer Puma, would also see the benefits of Griezmann in a United shirt - even if it is produced by rival manufacturer Adidas.
For all of his commercial exploits, he too would recognise how United could boost his profile.
His current Twitter following of 3.6m people places him above The Only Way is Essex reality star Mark Wright and United have increasingly used their social media might – with a combined Twitter and Facebook following of 84m – as a negotiating tool.
They believe it could prove the tipping point to eventually luring a global star like Neymar to the club. Such issues as branding and commercial opportunities are significant bonuses to financial brokers like Woodward.
But it is Griezmann’s potential to transform United into Premier League title-winners and a force in Europe once more that has convinced Mourinho to make him his primary target.