Griezmann: United move close to being finalised

Antoine Griezmann has given the clearest indication yet that he will join Manchester United this summer, as Wayne Rooney prepares for what is likely to be an emotional end to his Old Trafford career when the club face Ajax in the Europa League final tomorrow.

The Daily Telegraph reported in March that United would trigger the £85 million release clause in Griezmann’s contract with Atlético Madrid once their season was over, and the Frenchman has admitted that negotiations over a move to Old Trafford were 60 per cent complete.

Asked on the French television show Quotidien about the prospect of joining United, Griezmann admitted it was “possible” and said he expected his future to be resolved in the next fortnight. And when presenter Yann Barthès asked him to confirm how talks with United were progressing, with 10 the equivalent of a done deal, Griezmann replied: “Six.”

Whether any deal hinges on United securing qualification for the Champions League by winning the Europa League remains to be seen, since Griezmann also claimed on the same show that there was a seven out of 10 chance that he would stay at Atlético.

Griezmann will take part in France’s games against Paraguay, Sweden and England next month and then go on holiday with his partner Erika Choperena, by which point he expects his future to be clear.

Whether United manage to finalise a deal for Griezmann or not, tomorrow’s game seems likely to be Rooney’s final one for the club. The forward is expected to be among the substitutes in Stockholm as manager Jose Mourinho goes in search of a second major trophy this season and, with it, qualification for next season’s Champions League.

United are due to fly to the Swedish capital today, with midfielder Marouane Fellaini confident of being fit for the final after missing Sunday’s 2-0 win at home to Crystal Palace with a tight hamstring sustained in the goalless draw at Southampton four days earlier.