Man Utd's Antoine Griezmann pursuit strengthens as Atletico Madrid line up his friend as possible replacement
Atletico Madrid have told Manchester United that they want their number one transfer target, Antoine Griezmann, to remain at the Spanish club for one more season – but, crucially, they are also lining up signing one of his friends as his possible replacement.
Despite Atletico’s protestations there is a growing expectation that Griezmann will leave at the end of this season with United almost certainly his destination. United are prepared to trigger the 100million euro (£85million) release clause in his contract, which would leave Atletico powerless to stop them, but still hope to sign the 25-year-old striker for slightly less once negotiations are underway.
Atletico have been alerted to the availability of Alexandre Lacazette, who they tried to sign on January 2016, and who finally has been told he can leave Lyon – and recently went public with that news. Griezmann and Lacazette are close with the Atletico forward having named his countryman as one of the players he would hope the Spanish club would sign.
Lacazette is also expected to be wanted by a number of Premier League clubs with Arsenal and West Ham United having failed in bids for the 25-year-old forward last summer. Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool are understood to be interested in Lacazette with Arsenal also considering a fresh bid.
Lyon, however, want 70million euros (£60million) for their star player which could be prohibitive and despite appearing to finally sanction the French international’s departure there is also an understanding that Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas is difficult to negotiate with.
Who is the deadliest scorer in Europe?
West Ham believed they had struck a deal to acquire Lacazette at the end of last season only for Lyon to reject a club record bid of 33million euros (£28million) as they insisted then the valuation was 50million euros (£42.3million). Arsenal eventually also bid for Lacazette but, again, no deal.
Atletico have long been admirers of Lacazette who can play anywhere across the front-line but the situation at the Spanish club is uncertain partly because it is not clear whether coach Diego Simeone will remain. He was close to leaving last summer and inquired about becoming coach of Paris Saint-Germain but they had already lined up Unai Emery.
Simeone has also considered a move to England or a return to Inter Milan, where he played, while matters are complicated further because he has also expressed a desire to lead Atletico into their new 67,000-capacity stadium next season. Paying for that has also led to an expectation that Atletico may have to cash in on at least one of their prize assets.
Griezmann became Atletico’s all-time leading scorer in the Champions League with his 13th strike in the competition during the 4-2 win away to Bayer Leverkusen in the first leg of their last 16 clash on Tuesday. Having reached the final in two of the last three seasons, and with little chance of winning the Spanish title, Atletico are going all-out to win the Champions League.