Antoine Griezmann And Barcelona Close To Agreeing Terms

Atletico Madrid's transfer ban put an end to any chance Manchester United had of signing Antoine Griezmann. However with that ban lifted it looks like he could be moving to Barcelona instead of the Premier League.

Long before Manchester United had their eyes set on Romelu Lukaku the club's number one target for the summer was Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann. The deal looked likely but Atleti's failure to get their transfer ban overturned ended the possibility.

The Frenchman decided that he just couldn't leave his team in the lurch with them not being able to sign a replacement. Instead Griezmann signed a new deal, United signed Lukaku and the deal was killed, for now at least.

Lukaku

_{Lukaku's start to the season softened the blow of missing out on Griezmann. Image: PA}

In January the club's ban is lifted and they will sign Diego Costa back from Chelsea. Whilst Griezmann isn't likely to go mid season there's every chance that his transfer will happen come the summer window.

United are still a possibility but according to French newspaper Le 10 Sport the 26 year old is very close to agreeing terms with La Liga rivals Barcelona, though the clubs are yet to negotiate.

Griezmann

_{Griezmann has scored just three goals this season for Atleti. Image: PA}

Once he'd decided to stay in the summer the France international signed a new deal that changed his release clause to £178 million, in order to just make sure he wouldn't leave.

But the contract states that his clause will once again go back down to its initial £89 million on July 1st so Barcelona could wait until then to do the deal.

However if the Catalan side believe that the Red Devils are still interested in the forward, and are ready to match the release clause, then they could try to negotiate with their fellow Spaniards before then.

Griezmann

_{The Frenchman is likely to lead his country's attack in the World Cup in the summer. Image: PA}

Of course Barcelona replaced Neymar with a more natural winger than forward in the summer when they signed Ousmane Dembele from Borussia Dortmund whilst they've tried to add Philippe Coutinho in midfield.

With Luis Suarez continuing to struggle the summer could be the perfect time for a forward addition and a refresh to their side.

Topics: Manchester United, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Antoine Griezmann, Diego Costa, Spain, La Liga

Ryan Sidle

Ryan is a writer for SPORTbible. He covers all sport from football, formula one, cricket, rugby, tennis, athletics, mma and wrestling. He obviously hates YOUR football team and has no interest in synchronised swimming.

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