What with all the fanfare that Paul Pogba brought with him on his ‘triumphant’ return to his old stomping ground, it all seems rather surreal to remember it’s been nearly four years since Manchester United claimed the Premier League trophy.
As ugly reading as that makes for the clubs upper hierarchy, it hasn’t seemed to stop then spending a shed load more money on another French superstar.
Various online sources, 90min and the Manchester Evening News included, are reporting that tricky Atletico forward man Antoine Griezmann is very close to signing the three times Champions League winners, all thanks to the Manchester club meeting his absurdly large 100m Euros buyout clause.
despite much speculation revolving around his playing future, Griezmann has been quiet on his future in recent weeks. Certainly, a starring role in the French national side would have further convinced Jose Mourinho that the former Real Sociedad attacker is a man for the big occasion – his 58 goals in 102 matches indicates also that he has the scorers touch to take the pressure off talisman Ibrahimovic.
Being 26 years of age, and with the Supercopa de España the only trophy to his name, it’s understandable that Griezmann would want to seek a move elsewhere. Indeed manager Diego Simeone didn’t seem too upbeat when quizzed on potentially keeping his star man during an interview with Spain’s AS.
“Yes, because there is a termination clause. There is no security. The former Argentinian international commented.
“That’s what he told me [in the summer talks] – if you stay, I’ll stay and I said yes, why would I not stay? And they began to work with the representatives for everything that had to be signed. And he stayed.
“And from now on I do not know what can happen. He would never let me tell him to stay. I did not do it with [Diego] Costa or [Radamel] Falcao.
This season Griezmann has netted 22 goals in 40 appearances, with his stellar goalscoring form helping Atletico 4th in Liga, 10 points behind leaders Real Madrid.