United Closing In On Antoine Griezmann As Atletico Line Up Lacazette For Replacement
REUTERS/Eloy Alonso
Manchester United‘s pursuit of Antoine Griezmann may have gotten a favorable stride as according to the recent report from the Daily Telegraph, Atletico Madrid are lining up a bid for Griezmann’s national teammate Alexandre Lacazette.
The 25-year-old Ballon d’Or nominee has been hitting a top form lately and is well expected to depart the premises of Vicente Calderon, however, the Los Rojiblancos wants their prized asset to stay at the club for at least another year to come as they looking to set a rhythm of their own.
Furthermore, it is likely that the France international will join Paul Pogba at Old Trafford as both shares a good friendship and Griezmann, in past, has stated a number of times that he would love to play with him on club level as well.
Furthermore, to fill the void, Telegraph reports that Atletico Madrid will line a move for Lyon’s hotshot Alexandre Lacazette, who was a subject of their interest in the past summer, but the Les Gones rejected every offer and were unwilling to let him leave. However, a few days back, the 25-year-old striker revealed that he would be leaving the club as he wants new challenges to come to his way.
REUTERS/Emmanuel Foudrot
“I think it’s come, the right moment,” Lacazette told Canal+ (via Evening Standard).
“I think that this summer will be the time where I will need a change of scenery and discover something else, still with the idea of advancing and progressing in terms of football and as a person.”
With that being said and done, the aforementioned swap deal between Lyon-Atletico Madrid and Manchester United sure makes sense. With Mourinho, a few days back, revealing that Paul Pogba might lose his status of being the most expensive footballer, it is well and truly expected that they will exercise his £85 million release clause in summer.
Furthermore, Manchester United may get Griezmann without any rivalry, but the Madrid outfit will have to work their socks off, as the Premier League clubs like Arsenal, West Ham United, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool are some of the interested parties.
Arsenal and West ham, on their part, saw their respective bids rejected (£28 million from West Ham) by the French giants last summer as they were holding on to their £42.3 million price tag.
The Los Rojiblancos might get their man in the summer, but the issue of departure is not only about Antoine Griezmann as there is no confirmation whether their manager Diego Simeone will stay at the club or not with Inter Milan – where he played – or Premier League looking a favorable destination.
Besides that, the capital club will be re-positioned into their new 67,000-capacity stadium next season, hence, it is quite evident that they might cash some of the big names to raise a little fund.
Trending Articles:
United And Arsenal Could Do Stunning Swap Deal
Jose Mourinho Targets Two Chelsea Stars This Summer
Arsenal Striker Wants To Leave The Club At The End Of The Season
Besides all of this, former Arsenal and France midfielder Emmanuel Petit has said that Antoine Griezmann will ‘definitely’ become a Manchester United player in the summer.
“I think he will come to Manchester United, definitely,” Petit was quoted by Sky Sports.
He further went on to say that Pogba’s friendship with the 25-year-old will be a huge factor in the speculation and the Frenchman will bring a new dimension to the club.
“He has a great partnership with Pogba in the national team, they are very good friends as well,” Petit added.
“He will bring goals, assists and his winning mentality as well.”
There is a lot going on under the roof of Old Trafford and it is fair to say that something interesting will happen in the coming summer.
All eyes on you Jose!