Atlético Madrid striker Antoine Griezmann has told his current club that he wants to leave this summer provided if Manchester United will have to meet the France striker’s €100 million (£87 million) release clause, with the Spanish club determined not to sell for less.
Griezmann has conveyed diverse messages about his future in recent months but he has committed that his interests will be best served by leaving the Vicente Calderón and United are in position to sign him as manager Jose Mourinho attempts to strengthen his forward line.
United have been vigorously working on a deal for Griezmann since the turn of the year and Mourinho would preferably like the player in place for when the club go to the United States on July 9 for the start of their pre-season tour.
Griezmann, 26, is with the France squad ahead of their friendly against Paraguay on Friday and is due to go on honeymoon with partner Erika Choperena in mid-June following his country’s matches against Sweden and England.
As United prepare to take one player from a Madrid club, they face a fight to prevent another leaving for the Spanish capital. David de Gea is a foremost target for Real but United believe they are in a much stronger position to rebuff the Spanish champions’ advances than two years ago and are confident the £60 million-rated goalkeeper will not agitate for a transfer.
