Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is said to want the France and Atletico Madrid star Antoine Griezmann to join his blockbuster squad, reports the Daily Mirror. Griezmann is a long-term target for Manchester United as a replacement for hard-working captain Wayne Rooney.
Recently, the Frenchman won the golden boot at the 2016 European Championship in France.
The France and Atletico Madrid star is settled in Spain but United's ‘buy who they want’ attitude could be an interesting prospect come 2017. Bleacher Report also reported that the French star is on Jose Mourinho’s shopping list. The star would add to a spree that has included Zlatan Ibrahimovic and world record signing Paul Pogba, with both players delivering in the early stages of their time at the club.
Griezmann had a fantastic last season both with Atletico Madrid and France. The 25-year-old scored 32 goals in 54 matches in all competitions for Atletico Madrid last season as the Madrid giants reached the UEFA Champions League final for the second time in 3 years, only to lose on penalties at the hands of Real Madrid.
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He continued his superb goalscoring form for France into the Euros as he netted 6 goals as the host nation lost to Portugal 1-0 in the final at Paris. He was recently nominated in the 3 man shortlist for the UEFA Best Player Award for the 2015-16 season. He finished 2nd behind Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo and Real Madrid star Gareth Bale finished 3rd.
Rooney, however, has set his sights on extending his career at United by calling time on his international career, after the Russia 2018 World Cup. The 2018 World Cup in Russia will be Rooney’s last international tournament with the Three Lions and he will hope to go out on a high.
After a humiliating European Championship in France where England were eliminated by newcomers Iceland, Rooney wants to start the 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign on a positive note.
Last month, Griezmann heaped praise on Manchester United, saying it was the perfect club for his France teammate and friend Paul Pogba. Pogba returned to United after 4 years with Juventus.
"Manchester [United] is the perfect club for him, with Mourinho they are making something new," he was quoted by the Daily Mirror earlier. With Jose Mourinho and United spending millions in the recently concluded transfer window, it won’t be a surprise if Griezmann does join the Premier League side.
