Liverpool + Spurs Dealt Blow As £25m Target Opens Talks Over Ligue 1 Switch

The summer transfer window is now open for business and it’s expected to be a busy few weeks as managers strengthen their squads ahead of next season, so we’ll bring you all the latest news and gossip. Today, Liverpool and Tottenham could miss out on Antoine Griezmann.

Liverpool and Tottenham could miss out on Antoine Griezmann after Monaco opened talks with Real Sociedad over a potential £25m deal for the attacker, according to reports.

Griezmann has emerged as one of the most exciting young attackers in Europe over the past 12 months after an excellent season in Spain with Sociedad that saw him score 20 goals in 49 appearances last season to help the club secure a place in the Europa League.

His impressive form has attracted interest from the Premier League with speculation in recent weeks suggesting that Liverpool and Tottenham are among the clubs keen on luring him to England this summer.

Reports on Monday claimed that Spurs had made the first move to try and secure a deal but saw a £20m offer rejected, with Sociedad holding out for the full value of the 23-year-old’s £25m buy-out clause.

However, both Liverpool and Tottenham could now be set to miss out as the Daily Star are reporting today that Monaco have opened talks with Sociedad about taking Griezmann to Ligue 1 as they try and find a replacement for James Rodriguez – who joined Real Madrid this afternoon.

The France international has just two years remaining on his current deal and Sociedad are now resigned to losing him after the player rejected their latest extension offer, but the La Liga outfit won’t be bullied into selling on the cheap.

Monaco obviously have the funds to pay the full £25m asking price following the sale of Rodriguez, so it looks like Liverpool and Tottenham will have to dig deep if they want to win the race for his signature.

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Mauricio Pochettino is just starting to re-shape his squad following his appointment as Tim Sherwood’s successor at White Hart Lane and it would be a sensational coup if he could fight off serious interest to land Griezmann.

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has already been extremely active in the market but with the Northern Irishman still got plenty of funds available following the sale of Luis Suarez, Griezmann could come in and provide a real goal threat in the final third.

It remains to be seen whether either club are prepared to go head-to-head with Monaco but there’s no doubt Griezmann would be an excellent signing for either club if they could pull it off. He’s capable of playing out wide or through the middle, and certainly knows where the goal is, so would be a superb addition to either squad.