Manchester United close in on Antoine Griezmann summer deal

Manchester Untied have reached a deal ‘in principle’ with Antoine Griezmann to bring him to England during the summer transfer window, reports in France suggest.

The Atletico Madrid star forward has been offered the same salary as record-signing Paul Pogba at £15 million a year, but United are yet to agree with the Spanish club for a price.

Griezmann has been linked to Europe’s top clubs lately, but his close friendship with Pogba and United’s readiness to pay his contract release clause of £85 million might leave Ateltico’s president Enrique Cerezo unable to keep his star.

Current Atletico manager Diego Simeone has already hinted he might be willing to let Griezmann seek greener pastures.

“I don’t tie anybody down.” Simeone answered the speculation surrounding the French forward. “I simply work in order to continue getting better for the good of the club.

“He is in an extraordinary moment. He is working well; he has got back on the scoresheet. He is currently in great form and it’s normal that the top clubs in the world want him. I’m not surprised that those that can afford him are seeking him.”

Jose Mourinho would certainly seek to boost his forward line with United’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marcus Rashford having failed to make big impact in the Premier League so far. Atletico Madrid are likely to be in position to sell to raise funds ahead of their move to a new 67,000 stadium.