Manchester United have never had any negotiations with either Barcelona or Atletico Madrid to sign Antoine Griezmann, confirms Fabrizio Romano. Despite past links to Old Trafford, the Frenchman hasn’t ever been close to joining the Red Devils and is unlikely to do so in the near future.
Manchester United Have Never Been in Active Negotiations for Antoine Griezmann Signing
Atletico Madrid and Barcelona are finally close to reach an agreement for Antoine Griezmann. Final fee will be around €20m, plus add-ons now being discussed. 🚨🇫🇷 #Atleti
The two clubs will go for this solution and won’t wait until June. Antoine, happy to stay. pic.twitter.com/GwFY5b8koL
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 5, 2022
United Looking For Different Type of Striker Rather Than Griezmann
The Red Devils aren’t interested in signing a striker like the French international – who is more of a number ten than a pure centre-forward. Romano adds that the Manchester giants are looking for more of a central striker – who will be able to roam around the final third and has impressive finishing skills.
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It’s still not sure when they will make the move for a new striker, be it in the January transfer window or next summer. But, as it stands, it’s likelier that they will sign a new forward in the 2023 summer transfer window. One thing that is assured is that they will not be making a move for Griezmann, who is currently caught up in an awkward transfer deadlock between his current parent club Barcelona and Atletico Madrid – the club he is currently on loan at.
Griezmann Desperate to Stay at Atletico Madrid
The 31-year-old is “in love” with Atletico Madrid and is desperate to stay with them for the long term, confirms Romano. But the deal has been complicated by neither of the La Liga giants being able to finalise an agreement that could be to both their liking.
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However, it looks like some kind of approval can be finalised soon. Romano adds that Barcelona and Atletico are both on the verge of reaching an agreement for the permanent transfer of Griezmann from Camp Nou to the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium for a fee of around £17.5 million plus add-ons.
United are staying well clear of this entire operation for the 31-year-old – who has 231 goals in his club career and was called one of the ‘greatest of all time’ by France manager Didier Deschamps last year, as they have other targets in mind when it comes to improving their own centre-forward position.
