Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann has apparently agreed terms over a long-term contract at Manchester United following his club’s mauling at the hands of Real Madrid in the Champions League.
The France international has repeatedly iterated his desire to remain at Atleti this season, but his patience appears to have run out after his side slumped to a disappointing 3-0 defeat to Real in the Champions League semi-final, first-leg, which has literally ended their chances of progressing to the final round.
According to The Sun, the French forward has decided to settle personal terms with the Mancunian giants after he was offered wages of around £280,000-a-week, thus making him one of the most expensive players in the Premier League history.
United boss Jose Mourinho has seen his side depleted by the season-ending injury of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and he is prepared to put things right next season by pushing for potential recruits well ahead of the summer transfer window.
Griezmann has not had the best of seasons in the Spanish La Liga with just 16 goals to date, but he is nevertheless regarded as one of the most fearsome strikers when in full flow.
While Zlatan could return from his cruciate injury ahead of schedule, Mourinho does not seem to be playing the waiting time with Torino’s Andrea Belotti also being lined up for a potential move (The Mail) to Old Trafford this summer.
There has a lot of talk of United needing the Champions League to attract the best talents, but this may not be the case, with a player of Griezmann’s calibre said to have finalized terms over an £89m switch to the club.
Nevertheless, the Red Devils will not let the chance of qualifying for the elite competition go by, and this could start with a win at Celta Vigo, which takes them nearer to the Europa League title – a trophy which now guarantees a passage to the Champions League.
Manchester United could as well finish in the top-four of the Premier League to achieve a similar feat but for this, they will have to beat the likes of Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur – both away from home, and hope that one of Liverpool or Manchester City slip up in the final games of the season.
Image – Getty
