Despite reports in France on Wednesday suggesting that Manchester United had agreed terms with Antoine Griezmann for the Frenchman to quit Atletico Madrid for the Premier League, The Independent are suggesting that the former Real Sociedad player is hoping another club far closer to his current home will bid for his services.
The report states that Griezmann is concerned about joining a club that isn’t involved in the Champions League, and with United missing out on qualification for Europe’s premier cup competition in two of the last three seasons and looking less-than a sure bet to alter that this year, his fears are understandable. Jose Mourinho’s side currently sit sixth, and missed the chance to close the gap on the teams above them on Wednesday night after drawing 0-0 with Hull City.
Griezmann would potentially be interested in joining Atletico’s local rivals Real Madrid, but is said to me dismayed that a gentleman’s agreement between the clubs prohibits either side from agitating or striking deals to sign the other’s players.
Either way, news that Griezmann is hesitant to move to Old Trafford due to United’s potential lack of Champions League football will be of gigantic concern to the club’s hierarchy. Mourinho’s team can also qualify for the competition by winning the Europa League, but with four knockout rounds to navigate before reaching the final, it seems a tall order for a team still competing on four fronts. The club’s board will be especially keen to make sure that Mourinho is able to get the club back into the competition, lest it puts a spanner in the works of signing one of the continent’s best attacking talents.
