Barcelona have ‘agreed a deal in principle’ to sign Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann.
The Frenchman has long been linked with a move to Manchester United but it appears the Catalan club have stolen a march on Jose Mourinho’s side.
According to Le 10 Sport the La Liga-leading side are now in pole position to sign the Frenchman who has underwhelmed so far this season.
Many anticipated the 26-year-old sealing a move to Old Trafford in the summer but Atletico’s transfer ban, upheld by FIFA, meant Simeone held onto his main man.
And the Spanish side strengthened their hand even more when Griezmann agreed a new deal, doubling his release clause from £85million to £170m.
The Frenchman has not yet reached the dizzying heights of last season however, scoring only three goals in all competitions.
He cut a frustrated figure in Atletico’s recent La Liga clash with Deportivo La Coruna and was subbed off with the scores level in the second half.
But Griezmann will no doubt be confident of a return to form and netted for France in their friendly against Wales last Friday.
Time will tell whether United will renew their interest in the former transfer target but Barcelona are in the market for a superstar to replace Neymar.
The £96m signing Ousmane Dembele presents a promising option but at just 20 years old Ernesto Valverde is evidently looking to add established international class to his star-studded ranks.
COMMENTS