Antoine Griezmann looks set to __have the pick of at least four top clubs this summer – Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Barcelona, if one of his advisers is to be believed.
Ozil DEMANDS Wenger to do one ‘important’ thing The Atletico Madrid forward is one of the most sought-after attacking players in the world at the moment, having scored 79 goals in just under three seasons at the Vicente Calderon.
United __have long looked the favourites for the Frenchman’s signature, but his mentor Eric Olhats claimed yesterday that five clubs had inquired about him.
‘Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Barcelona and Real (Madrid) have inquired,’ Olhats told RMC, adding that Real is not a realistic destination due to the rivalry with neighbours Atletico.
So where will Griezmann end up, and who needs him most? Here’s a look at the four clubs in contention and where he could fit in…
Manchester United
Surely the club most in need of Griezmann, it makes sense that it’s United’s name we’re seeing linked with him most often this season.
The Red Devils are currently relying far too much on the form of a 35-year-old Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who, despite his 27 goals this season, has not won over everyone at Old Trafford.
Rumour Mill: our round-up of football gossip, rumours and speculation The Swede has been guilty of missing some big chances throughout the campaign, and it’s still not clear if he will be extending his stay at the club for a second season.
Griezmann has 22 goals this term, and while that’s fewer than Ibrahimovic, he could do a better job than his United counterpart if spearheading a team with so much creative potential.
At 26, Griezmann’s increased pace and athleticism would also surely make him an immediate upgrade, and he’d be a far more reliable long-term option in general.
Chelsea
Chelsea have reportedly been given a blank cheque to sign Griezmann ahead of United this summer, though it’s not immediately clear where he’d be needed at Stamford Bridge.
The France international would perhaps be best suited as a replacement for Diego Costa, which seems realistic after the Spaniard’s rumoured push for a move to the Chinese Super League after a row with Antonio Conte in January.
Griezmann has four more goals (22) than Costa (18) this season, and could also do a job out wide if ever required.
It is also possible that the former Real Sociedad man is being eyed up as a potential heir to Eden Hazard, with the Belgian strongly linked with Real Madrid in recent times.
However, many reports also suggest Hazard could sign a new contract with the Blues, making Costa the more likely to leave in the summer, and therefore leaving a gap up front that would need filling.
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Manchester City
Manchester City’s interest in Griezmann comes as a slight surprise as it’s hard to argue that he’d add a great deal to this current squad.
However, it does seem clear that, with Pep Guardiola’s demanding vision of what a striker should offer, Sergio Aguero’s place up front is not necessarily safe.
Top Man Utd & Chelsea target open to SHOCK move The Argentine has been linked tentatively with a move away from the Etihad Stadium this summer, and that could therefore lead to Guardiola targeting Griezmann to replace him up top.
Still, even then it’s not clear that the French attacker would be a huge upgrade on a player who’s scored an incredible 163 goals in just 244 games for City, including 27 despite arguably being far from at his best this season.
Griezmann’s all-round ability may appeal more to Guardiola, who may even find a way of using the two players together, though he’d still be up against big names such as Kevin De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane in the attacking midfield department.
City have the money to make this happen, and could edge United due to being more likely to have Champions League football on offer, but this particular the two just don’t seem an obvious fit.
Goals 2016/17 (all comps)
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Barcelona
Finally, Barcelona are another club seemingly interested in Griezmann despite there being no obvious need for him.
This is a side that already boasts Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar up front, so any deal for Griezmann just seems unnecessarily greedy.
La Liga top scorers 2016/17
Luis Suarez – 24
Cristiano Ronaldo – 19
Iago Aspas – 16
Antoine Griezmann – 14
For all his qualities, it seems unlikely that the Atletico front-man would displace any of those three in Barca’s forward positions, so that would surely mean a slight change of formation.
Traditionally playing a 4-3-3, though sometimes switching to 3-4-3 this season, Barcelona would have to try something like a 4-2-3-1 to fit Griezmann in with the ‘MSN’ trio.
Would it be worth it? They’d likely lose the control they enjoy over games due to sacrificing that third central midfielder, but there’s no doubt that that front four looks fearsome.
Griezmann could fill in any of those roles with ease, though perhaps makes most sense playing just off the more prolific Suarez, while Messi and Neymar could continue in largely the same roles they’ve played on the right and left respectively this season.
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