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Man Utd hijack of Barcelona transfer target Antoine Griezmann inspired by TWO people
MANCHESTER UNITED have renewed hopes of signing Antoine Griezmann from Atletico Madrid ahead of Barcelona.
Atletico Madrid: Antoine Griezmann announces he is leaving
The Frenchman stunned his team-mates and Diego Simeone last week when he released a video confirming he will leave the club this summer.
Having come so close to joining Barcelona last year, Griezmann u-turned his exit from the Wanda Metropolitano to sign a new contract before the World Cup.
Barcelona were seemingly ready to finally complete a deal for the forward this time around but now negotiations have appeared to have gone quiet.
According to The Independent, Manchester United have been in contact with Griezmann’s representatives and there is fresh hope a deal could be on the cards.
His brother Theo Griezmann is a huge United fan and his support for the Premier League is thought to be influential among his entourage.
But there is an added motive behind United’s interest too.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is desperate to keep Paul Pogba at the club and is even prepared to offer him the captaincy to see him stay put.
Securing the signing of Griezmann would be a huge morale boost for the midfielder, given that he is one of his closest friends in the national team.
The Norwegian is keen to bring in a forward for the right of his front three after accepting that Jadon Sancho is likely to stay put at Borussia Dortmund for now.
Griezmann does fit the profile, where as there has been doubts at Barcelona that he works best in the areas of the field that Lionel Messi usually occupies.
Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo has already claimed that the decision is irreversible and Griezmann will not be able to stay at the club whatever happens from now.
"It is irreversible,” he said on Thursday.
Griezmann showing 'no signs' of Barcelona move says Balague
“The only thing I tell him is that he has a lot of luck where he goes.
"And, that at least they treat him as we have treated him here."
Solskjaer has told the board that he intends to complete the majority of his summer business by July 1.