United and Real Madrid dealt blow in Griezmann chase

Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann seems to be on his way to Barcelona, according to Dario Gol.

Both Manchester United and Real Madrid have been very interested in the player, but his asking price of more than £130 million has proven to be a big stumbling block even for them. Atletico were quick to react to the increasing interest coming from Old Trafford by extending Griezmann’s contract with one year in June this year.

But now Dario Gol’s Fernando Rodrigo writes that the French striker agreed to the extension on one condition.

“That in the summer of 2018 his [release] clause would drop to 100 million euros.” If this is the case then Real Madrid and Manchester United have all the reasons to be happy.

But Rodrigo continues: “It seems the Frenchman would have reached a pre-agreement with Blaugrana, once his clause goes down to 100 million, [Barcelona president] Bartomeu will pay and Antoine will become Cule [Barca supporter].”

This would be a huge blow to Manchester United and Real Madrid aspirations of signing the world-class striker. The Red Devils tried to sign Griezmann in the summer for lack of options up front but were met with stout opposition by Atletico Madrid who refused to sell their star for any price.

Jose Mourinho’s appetites for the striker have not died out as he will be looking for a strike partner for Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford come Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s possible departure next year. Real Madrid, on the other hand, want to bring fresh blood with Gareth Bale potentially leaving too.

But it seems Barcelona have been pulling the strings from the shadows in the meantime.

Griezmann’s current contract with Atletico Madrid runs to 2022.

More transfer stories: Barcelona desperate to bring Coutinho’s price down