Man Utd Still Keen On Signing 32-Goal Striker Despite £83m Buyout Fee

The opening of the summer transfer window is almost upon us so we’ll bring you all the latest transfer rumours and gossip from around the globe. Today, Man Utd are linked with Antoine Griezmann….

Manchester United are still showing a keen interest in signing Antoine Griezmann despite the striker signing a new contract with Atletico Madrid that saw his buyout fee increase to £83m, according to a report in the Mirror.

Griezmann joined Atletico from Real Sociedad in 2014 and was once again in outstanding form last season after scoring 32 goals and providing 7 assists to help Diego Simone’s side reach the Champions League final.

The 25-year-old attracted interest from United with ESPN reporting earlier this month that Jose Mourinho had identified the French international as a prime target as he looks to build a squad capable of challenging for top honours next season after being appointed as Louis van Gaal’s successor.

United’s hopes of luring Griezmann to Old Trafford this summer appeared to be dashed when the forward signed a new contract extension with Atletico last week that saw his buyout clause increase to £83m (€100m).

However, the Mirror are citing a report coming from Spanish outlet El Confidencial that claims United have still not given up hope of signing Griezmann as it’s thought that the player only signed a new deal to ensure Atletico would be able to command a higher fee for the player.

Should the La Liga giants be tempted in to cash in on Griezmann this summer, then the newspaper suggests that United will be leading the chase for his signature along with Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain.

We’ll have to wait and see how things develop but obviously Griezmann would be a sensational signing if United were able to pull it off this summer and he’d give Mourinho a much-needed creative threat in the final third next season.

The ‘Special One’ has already kick-started his summer overhaul with the signing of young Ivory Coast defender Eric Bailly but the Portuguese coach is likely to add to his attacking options after seeing United only register 49 league goals last season and Griezmann would be the ideal addition.

READ MORE –> Man Utd transfer news

The attacker is currently starring for France at Euro 2016 where he’s scored 3 goals in 4 games, including a double against Ireland at the weekend to help France book their place in the quarter finals, so any potential move will have to wait until after the tournament.