Manchester United served blow in pursuit of top transfer target
Manchester United may have been served a decisive blow in their pursuit of Antoine Griezmann after the Atletico Madrid striker reiterated his commitment to the Spanish giants.
Griezmann has been heavily linked with a world record move to Old Trafford this season after being earmarked as Jose Mourinho’s top transfer target.
Atletico have no interest in losing one of their best players but realise they would be powerless in stopping the France international from leaving the club if his buy-out clause was triggered in the summer.
However, Diego Simeone’s side have perhaps been offered the biggest hint that Griezmann will turn down the chance to leave after reiterating his commitment to the club.
“Yes, I am very comfortable here and now [Atletico president] Miguel Angel Gil Marin has to speak with my agent and we will see what we can do but I don’t see beyond the next game,” he told Cadena Ser, via Football Espana.
“I continue at Atletico because I am happy. If I am happy in my personal life I will be happy in the profession. I love Simeone and I love my friends.
“I want titles, it’s what I want and what I lack. Not individual titles but titles with the team. We want to improve and we are doing it with Cholo and the rest of my teammates.
“My future is not linked to Cholo. I don’t think that if he leaves, I will go. It’s true that last year I called him before signing a new deal because I wanted to continue working with him. The club needs it and I saw that I needed it too.”
Despite the uncertainty around his future, Griezmann has still enjoyed another successful season for Atletico although it ended in being dumped out of the Champions League for the fourth season in a row to Real Madrid.
However, Griezmann has only scored 16 league goals for Atletico this season and will finish the campaign with his lowest total in a league campaign for Simeone’s side since joining from Real Sociedad in 2014.
For more stats on Antoine Griezmann, click here to visit his WhoScored player page
That comment didn't hurt United's chances of getting Greizmann. Most players respond to transfer rumors by saying that they're happy and only focus on the next game. He didn't actually say that he will be absolutely staying. So, United still have a chance.