Antoine Griezmann reveals chances of joining Manchester United are 'six out of 10' as he fuels transfer rumours

The Atletico Madrid player has been repeatedly linked with a summer move to Old Trafford throughout the past season

Ian Herbert,Samuel Lovett
Monday 22 May 2017 19:44 BST
Comments
Antoine Griezmann's future is the subject of much United speculation
Antoine Griezmann's future is the subject of much United speculation (Getty)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Antoine Griezmann has given his first public indication that he could move to Manchester United from Atletico Madrid this summer by admitting “it's possible” and stating the chances as six out of 10.

The French striker – who with Torino’s Andrea Belotti is the side’s top transfer target – responded categorically to TV presenter Yann Barthes on the French entertainment show 'Quotidien'. “I think we will know (about my future) in the next two weeks. Manchester United? It is possible. Six out of 10 chance,” he said.

It was an unequivocal assessment of where he might be next season from Griezmann, who when asked about staying at Atletico responded: "There is a 7/10 chance."

Barthes then asked Griezmann if he understood what he had just said and if this was the first time he had spoken about the chances of a United move publicly - both of which were met with the answer 'Yes'. Griezmann also spoke of his admiration for the former Manchester United and England's David Beckham.

Griezmann’s agent Eric Olhat claims that United have shown the firmest interest in signing the highly coveted 26-year-old, who has an £85m release clause in his contract with his current Spanish club. "We're at the stage of gathering information from clubs who have a concrete interest," Olhats told the French TV programme Téléfoot. "There is an unavoidable €100m clause so that restricts the number of candidates.

"You have United, [Manchester] City, Chelsea, Barcelona and Real Madrid. United were the first to come and see us and the most concrete in their wishes."

He also revealed that his future at the La Liga side will be determined within the coming two weeks.

"I should know more in the next two weeks," he said.

The reporter also made reference to Beckham, an idol of Griezmann's, but the 26-year-old insisted he did not want to follow the Englishman's foot steps.

"I don’t want to follow [David] Beckham’s path but I have my own."

Griezmann's brother, Theo, retweeted Quotidien's tweet of the minute-long clip to further fuel speculation.

Griezmann has fuelled speculation of a move to United
Griezmann has fuelled speculation of a move to United (Getty)

Theo is known for his antics on Twitter having previously dropped hints to United fans of a summer move.

Griezmann's future in Spain has seemingly depended on manager Diego Simeone's own place at Atletico.

In a surprisingly candid interview, the Argentine publicly revealed the forward told him he would stay so long as Simeone remained manager of the side ahead of their move to a new stadium.

“Griezmann said to me: 'if you stay, I'll stay,'" Simeone said. “But from here forward nobody knows what is going to happen. I would never force him to say.”

But despite Simeone's recent confirmation that he will stay on at Atletico, made after his side's 3-1 win over Athletic Bilbao, Griezmann has not yet joined his manager in committing his own future to the Spanish club.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in