Man United, Chelsea and Arsenal locked in battle for £80m striker

The bidding for Atletico Madrid's French striker could reach £80m next year.

Griezmann, 25, parted company with his agents - Grupo Santos - last week and announced he will handle future deals himself, along with his father Alain and trusted aid Eric Olhats.

Atletico boss Diego Simeone also revealed he could quit the club at the end of next season, after reducing his contract.

All that is being seen as a sign that Griezmann, for whom Simeone is a huge influence, could soon be on the way out of the Spanish club.

Manchester United already had him on their wanted list, but neighbours Manchester City would be keen, too, despite having top-gun Sergio Aguero and Brazilian sensation Gabriel Jesus arriving in the New Year.

City would be unlikely to leave the field clear for United if a top talent like Griezmann was available.

But the Old Trafford club face competition anyway for the six-goal leading scorer at this summer's Euros, where he was also named as the player of the tournament.

WANTED MAN: Will Griezmann move to the Premier League?

Chelsea also want Griezmann and Starsport has been told that Arsenal would explore the possibility of doing the deal, too.

And that is despite the fact that Griezmann is under contract in Madrid until 2021.

Contracts, though, can easily be broken when the biggest clubs flex their financial muscle - which they would do for Griezmann.