Manchester United close to completing deal for Antoine Griezmann

Posted Friday, March 24, 2017 by givemesport.com

Manchester United have been expected to spend big in the summer, regardless of how their season winds up.

The Red Devils are currently fifth in the Premier League, four points adrift of Liverpool with two games in hand but a nightmare run to the final weekend of the campaign.

Jose Mourinho will pit his side against six of the top eight teams including a visit from Chelsea ahead of trips to Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham.

United will need more than a bit of luck to haul themselves back into contention for automatic Champions League qualification, whether it be through their final league position or a Europa League trophy.

Eager to begin the next phase of his project at Old Trafford, Mourinho will be itching to further tweak his squad during the summer transfer period, especially given the array of talents they've been linked with throughout the season.

The Portuguese is thought to be planning on bolstering his options in every third of the pitch, though his most pressing concern lies in attack, with veteran Zlatan Ibrahimovic being his best natural striking option.

With that in mind, United fans will be pleased to hear one of their most sought-after transfer targets is reportedly on the verge of finalising a switch to Old Trafford.

Manchester Evening News reports the club is close to completing a deal to bring Atletico Madrid star Antoine Griezmann to Old Trafford this summer.

The striker - who could cost United as much as £86 million - is considered to be Mourinho’s top target given his potential to transform their attack and aid a serious title charge next season.

Griezmann has scored 71 goals and provided 16 assists in all competitions since 2014, establishing himself as one of the deadliest forwards in Europe.

While the 26-year-old has insisted he is happy at the Vincente Calderon, it seems Diego Simeone is now powerless to keep hold of him if he wants to join to compatriot Paul Pogba at Old Trafford.

Griezmann has long been the subject of interest from a host of clubs capable of paying the money required to prise him away from Atletico, but United are considered the most likely to do so.

Despite spending in excess of £150 million last summer, United are expected to continue backing Mourinho in his pursuit of any player he wants for next season - and Griezmann is top of the list.