According to manchestereveningnews, Jose Mourinho has identified Tottenham star Harry Kane as a backup if Manchester United are unable to sign Antoine Griezmann in the summer. The Atletico Madrid forward has been with a move to Manchester United for a long time.  The primary motive behind Griezmann’s departure is thought to have been the uncertain future of manager Diego Simeone, who has been the defining factor in transforming Atletico into a top team in the Spanish league.

Griezmann, however, is seriously contemplating the possibility of remaining at the Vicente Calderon at least for another season. Since the France international has only managed to win the Spanish Super Cup since moving to the club, he wants to remain at Atletico and win major honours before switching to another club. In the last years, Atletico have managed to win major honours like the Spanish league title, Europa league, Super Cup, and Copa del Rey besides finishing in the Champions League as the runners-up on two occasions. All these successes have been achieved under the regime of Diego Simeone.

Manchester United missing out on Griezmann would be a major disappointment for Jose Mourinho, who has made the French international as his primary target. The arrival of Griezmann was important especially considering that Manchester United seem highly likely to lose Wayne Rooney in the summer. The England international was expected to depart as early as towards the end of February. His agent was in talks with Chinese clubs just before the end of the Chinese transfer window. Rooney is expected to make the move in the summer, and he will become the world’s highest-paid player with wages of £ 1 million per week.

Even though Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been a resounding success for the club since coming from Paris St Germain on a free transfer, there are concerns about the longevity of the player, who has recently turned 35. There is even speculation that Ibrahimovic may decide to quit United after just one season. His contract runs out at the end of the campaign. Even though there is the option of adding a further year, it remains to be seen if the Swedish striker’s camp will be interested in taking up this option.

Harry Kane has been a long-standing transfer target for United just like Griezmann. Even though managing to convince Tottenham about a sale of the forward would be extremely difficult, United may give it a go as they have dealt with the club in the past during the transfer of Michael Carrick.