MELISSA REDDY FROM SKY SPORTS
Manchester United sought dialogue with Antoine Griezmann and his representative last summer to gauge the possibility of signing the France international, Sky Sports can exclusively reveal.
When football director John Murtough and recruitment consultant Tom Keane flew to Spain to formalise a deal for Casemiro in August 2022, they made calls to arrange a meeting with Griezmann’s camp in Madrid to understand his situation and feelings around a transfer to Old Trafford.
It prompted an odd situation where Atletico boss Diego Simeone was only utilising Griezmann after the 60-minute mark given Atleti’s financial constraints.
United wanted a reading on whether the 31-year-old was exploring his options but, while he was flattered by the club’s interest and considers the Premier League a challenge, Griezmann’s priority was making his transfer to Atleti permanent.
That happened in October, before his standout performances in Qatar helped France reach the World Cup final.
Enquiries from England have not stopped but Griezmann is happy at Atleti and the only time he might consider his future is if Simeone exits.
United characterise the due diligence done on the player as a routine part of the recruitment process, likening it to being kept abreast of developments around Joao Felix and Cody Gakpo – who joined Chelsea and Liverpool, respectively – so they have all the information to make a decision.
Their check on Griezmann is significant in highlighting the club’s dual policy of recruiting pedigreed winners that can contribute now – like Raphael Varane and Casemiro – and change the culture of the club, along with gifted youngsters with a high ceiling.
It also points to the desire – sometimes quietly – to find a remedy for how light Erik ten Hag’s attacking options are. United have also put in work on Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, Red Bull Salzburg’s Benjamin Sesko – who is joining RB Leipzig in the summer – and Ajax’s Mohammed Kudus.
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