Rohan Sengupta
Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann is reportedly seeking wages of £400,000-per-week to join Manchester United after already rejecting an offer to become one of the club’s best-paid players. The French international was thought to be on the verge of a move to Old Trafford last summer before Atletico’s transfer ban was upheld.
However, The Sun reports that he now wants an eye-watering £400,000-per-week wage to complete the switch. The report adds that the Atletico Madrid striker has been lined up in a £89million deal to join the Red Devils next summer but that the club have been told their initial offer of £290,000-a-week is short of what the 26-year-old wants.
Griezmann continues to be linked with a move away from the Spanish capital following the arrival of Diego Costa. Also with the transfer ban now lifted, a departure at the end of the season for the ex-Real Sociedad winger looks increasingly likely.
However, it’s Barcelona who were seemingly in the box seat to secure his signature, although Jose Mourinho and United remain keen. But with the latest arrival of Brazilian playmaker Philippe Coutinho from Liverpool in a £142million deal, the Catalan giants are not expected to add another attacker in the summer.
This leaves United in the driver’s seat to secure Griezmann’s services, although the cash-rich Paris Saint-Germain also remain interested in the player.
A source was quoted by The Sun:
“The goalposts have moved significantly since the first attempt to sign Griezmann. The package offered last year which was agreed is now a lot less than what he wants next summer.
“It might be too much even for us to afford. The club is desperate to sign him but it is an awful lot of money. His people are making different demands which the club might be reluctant to give in to.”
Reports earlier this month suggested Mourinho could move for the Frenchman during the winter transfer window. Atletico will almost certainly reject any offers for him this month but are willing to part ways with him in the summer.
The wages that Griezmann is said to be seeking could present a problem, no matter how badly United wish to pair the France international with Romelu Lukaku. It looks unlikely that our board would match Griezmann’s high demands but given he is one of the best attackers in the continent, the deal could happen in the summer.
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