United make Bale top target
UNITED remain open to signing Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale after discovering Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann would prefer to join Barcelona.
M.E.N. Sport understands the Reds have been informed to expect the Frenchman to join Barca after Nou Camp officials met his family to discuss a transfer next year.
Griezmann, 26, rejected the chance to join United in the summer after the Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld Atletico’s transfer ban and United are now resigned to Griezmann staying in Spain, having courted him for over a year.
Barca signed Ousmane Dembele for £96m after Neymar joined Paris Saint-Germain for a world record £198m in the summer but the France international has made just three appearances after suffering a hamstring injury in September.
Griezmann’s €100m release clause means he would be a relatively prudent addition for Barca, who are still interested in signing another elite forward having failed to prise Philippe Coutinho away from Liverpool.
Griezmann stated earlier this year he has ‘nothing against England except the weather’ but appears to have chosen to remain in La Liga with his settled young family.
Griezmann moved to Spain in 2009, married his partner Erika in the summer and the couple have a one-year-old daughter.
Mourinho is intent on signing a ‘magician’ forward to enhance the United attack amid ongoing concerns over a lack of creativity and Bale’s injury record has not dissuaded United from being interested in a player they first wanted over 10 years ago.
Griezmann’s apparent preference to stay in La Liga has also led to United considering Mesut Ozil as a potential addition. Ozil worked with Mourinho for three years at Real Madrid and admitted in his autobiography he ‘loves’ the Portuguese boss.
The M.E.N. reported in October Ozil, 29, has been advised to run down his contract to secure a free transfer to United. Although Mourinho is prepared to do business in the January transfer window, United sources acknowledge it would be difficult to pull off signing a high-profile figure like Ozil, who is about to enter the last six months of his Arsenal contract.