English giants Chelsea and Manchester United are reportedly on the lookout for Atletico Madrid talisman Antoine Griezmann, who is also the prime target for Barcelona. The French forward has been impressive for the Spanish outfit and now seeks a move away from the Wando Metropolitano.
Barcelona has been heavily linked with a move for the French sensation as Griezmann reportedly claims he wants a switch to table-toppers Barcelona as he plans on winning more titles during his career. Sky Sports pundit Guillem Balague believes that Barcelona is front-runners for the Atletico man’s services but Chelsea and Manchester United will provide stiff competition for the Catalonians.
There will be heavy interest across Europe now as Griezmann’s release clause drops down to €100m (£88m)in the summer. However, Barcelona needs to be extremely careful to remain within the limits of their Financial Fair play as any massive amount of transfers spent could push them over the borderline.
Therefore, English Premier League duo of Chelsea and Manchester United are linked with a potential move for Griezmann, who is reportedly planning on luring in the striker with higher wages.
In a recent talk with Sky Sports, Spanish pundit and journalist Balague said, “Barcelona are favorites to get him. Chelsea and Manchester United, if they went for him, would be able to pay higher wages than Barcelona, but what is the difference between earning £10m or £12m? Barcelona is trying to do it the nice way, and the other way, to try to make sure he doesn’t go anywhere else. They are going to Atletico Madrid and saying ‘when you are ready to talk, let’s sit down, I know it’s €100m buyout clause but if we give you a little bit more will you be happy and we can still be friends?’
But on the other hand, Atletico Madrid are wanting Griezmann to remain at the club and have told the 27-year old that they will sign a couple of new stars in the summer to bolster the squad. But according to reports, Griezmann is adamant about leaving the club and wants his transfer sorted out before the FIFA World Cup begins, Balague added, “At the same time Atletico Madrid are trying to convince him to stay, telling him we will get three or four top players.”
“But they are resigned to him leaving. He wants everything sorted before the World Cup starts. Barcelona is putting it all in place for him to come in. He knows he will have to reduce his wage perhaps, with lots of bonuses linked with performances, because around 83 percent of the income at Barcelona goes into the wages, so it is a tense situation as the recommended amount is about 70 percent. They won’t be able to change that because they still need to renew one or two.”
This wage bonus is the only favorable value that Chelsea or United hold against Griezmann, he had been linked with the Red Devils earlier in his career, but has the ship to the Premier League sailed away for Griezmann?
