Transfer Centre

Manchester United 'planning January Antoine Griezmann bid'

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 02 January 2018

Man Utd 'planning January Griezmann bid'

Manchester United are reportedly planning a January move for Atletico Madrid striker Antoine Griezmann in a bid to salvage their season.

Manchester United are reportedly lining up a January bid for Atletico Madrid striker Antoine Griezmann.

Griezmann was understood to be close to sealing a move to Old Trafford last summer, only to perform a U-turn and sign a new contract at the Wanda Metropolitano after the club was hit with a transfer ban.

However, that ban has now expired to allow Atletico to confirm the return of Diego Costa, and the Daily Star reports that United boss Jose Mourinho is interested in bringing Griezmann to the club this month.

Griezmann had been expected to stay in the Spanish capital until at least the end of the season, but Mourinho is desperate to salvage his side's season and wants to significantly strengthen in January.

A January bid would also enable United to beat Barcelona to the 26-year-old's signature due to the Catalan outfit's pursuit of Philippe Coutinho.

The Red Devils are reportedly willing to offer Griezmann £300,000 a week to entice him to Old Trafford, with Mourinho currently without both Romelu Lukaku and Zlatan Ibrahimovic due to injury.

However, Griezmann's current release clause stands at €200m (£177.8m), whereas during the summer it would halve to €100m (£88.9m).