In an attempt to diffuse the mounting speculation linking Antoine Griezmann with a big-money move to Manchester United this summer, Atletico Madrid’s president Enrique Cerezo has publicly slated the Premier League club this week.
Speaking to Marca in quotes carried by the Daily Mail, Cerezo had this response when the question was posed regarding a potential move for Griezmann to Old Trafford:
“Manchester United? A small team. I believe in the contracts that people sign, and that goes for Diego Simeone and Griezmann.”
It feels like Cerezo is acutely aware of what he is doing by publicly attempting to insult United here. Reports of the club’s interest in Atletico’s biggest player are far too widespread that they can be dismissed as mere speculation, so perhaps Cerezo’s only option is a bullish response, which is exactly what has happened on this occasion. Given that the Spanish club are moving to a new ground this summer, are struggling to challenge Real Madrid and Barcelona for the La Liga title and were dumped out of the Copa Del Rey on Tuesday night at the Nou Camp, the president clearly isn’t willing to invite more speculation or pressure by validating those claims.
For the time being, this is little for United fans to worry about. Clubs have a history of publicly scoffing when it comes to selling prized assets months in advance, and this appears to be the case here.
