Antoine Griezmann has emerged as one of the key transfer targets for Manchester United in the last few months. It has been reported that the Red Devils are ready to pay as much as £ 80 million for the transfer of the French superstar. In the race for the Ballon d’Or award in 2016, Griezmann finished a respectable third – only behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. He is seen as the next great thing in world football, and he is only 25 years old. United are very keen on signing him as a result of Wayne Rooney’s anticipated departure in the summer.

It seemed almost certain that Griezmann move to Old Trafford in the summer. However, there has been a major setback in the last few weeks with Griezmann’s camp reportedly concerned about Manchester United’s ability to challenge for the top honours over the next few years. Despite spending more than £ 500 million since 2013, United are even struggling to finish in the top four, let alone challenge for the league title. Even after bringing in Jose Mourinho and spending vast sums of money on players like Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Paul Pogba, the club remain outside the top four in the 2016-17 season.

As a result, Griezmann is ready to consider any interest from Spanish giant Real Madrid before considering any offers from United. It comes with a major blow for the Old Trafford outfit, although the probability of Griezmann moving straight from the Vicente Calderon to the Santiago Bernabeu is a highly unlikely. The two clubs are archrivals and would not entertain a straight transfer. It remains as one of the primary reasons behind Real Madrid not coming in with a bid for David de Gea when he joined United in the summer of 2011. Now, however, Madrid have shown a long-term interest in the 26-year-old goalkeeper.

The entry of Barcelona into the picture certainly changes the outcome. After the recent mauling at the hands of Paris St Germain in the Champions League last 16 stage, Barcelona are looking at the possibility of going out of the competition in this stage for the first time since 2007. There is a clear consensus at the Camp Nou that the squad is in need of a major overhaul. Even though the attack is one of the biggest strengths for the club, they are concerned about the contract situation surrounding Lionel Messi. The forward is out of contract in less than 18 months and fresh terms are yet to be agreed.

Griezmann has the capability of playing for a club like Barcelona. The entry of Spanish giants has substantially altered the transfer metrics.