Manchester United target Antoine Griezmann 'happy at Atletico Madrid', insists club president
The 25-year-old forward was reported to have agreed personal terms at Old Trafford last week
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.Atletico Madrid's president has reiterated that Antoine Griezmann is happy at the club despite reports strongly linking him with a summer move to Manchester United.
The 25-year-old forward was reported to have agreed personal terms with United last week, but Enrique Cerezo insisted on Spanish radio on Tuesday that the player will be going nowhere.
"Every day I see Griezmann I give him a hug," Cerezo told Cope. "Antoine is a fantastic player and loves life at Atletico."
If United were to sign the Frenchman it is expected they would have to nearly match the world record transfer fee they paid for his compatriot Paul Pogba last summer.
Griezmann has scored 15 goals for Atleti this season and has been at the centre of intense transfer speculation since top scoring at Euro 2016.
It is the second time in recent weeks that Cerezo has insisted Griezmann will stay in the Spanish capital. He recently told reporters: "I don't know what Manchester United's interest is. But Griezmann will be at Atletico for a long time."
Nevertheless, a move to Old Trafford appeared a step closer this week as, amid interest from some of the biggest clubs in world football, Griezmann's image consultant told him a move to United to replicate the on- and off-field success of David Beckham would make the most sense.
"When I read articles about a hypothetical transfer to Manchester United I think it would be the ideal commercial scenario," Sebastien Bellencontre, who Griezmann employs to advise him on commercial opportunities, told French magazine So Foot.
"He would play at Beckham's former club, who is his idol, with the same legendary number [7] on his back.”
Griezmann joined Atletico in 2014 and last summer signed a contract extension that will keep him at the club until 2021 - unless anyone is willing to trigger his release clause of €100m (£85m).
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments