Atletico Madrid report Barcelona over Griezmann: What it means for Man Utd
- Kaustubh Pandey
Now though, the equation has changed dramatically. Atlético have lodged an official complaint against Barcelona regarding their approach for the Frenchman and it seems highly unlikely that the Catalans go back in for him. That, quite obviously, opens one track up. A track that could have been trodden upon this past summer by Griezmann, but couldn't be trodden upon because of the transfer ban that was imposed on the Los Rojiblancos last summer. It seems likelier now, though.
Reports from Manchester Evening News have already linked Griezmann with a January move to Old Trafford, saying that a move can happen as early as next month.
And the Red Devils could hit the jackpot with a possible move.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan has been a real disappointment this season under Jose Mourinho, who had kept the Armenian out from the side for seven consecutive games before during yesterday's Carabao Cup loss to Bristol City. While the former Borussia Dortmund man started off the season brilliantly, he faded off abruptly and could be on the move next summer. That'd accentuate the need for a number ten, who can score goals and create as much as potential for Romelu Lukaku, who has lacked service a lot of times this season.
Griezmann’s versatility would come in immensely handy for Mourinho, who has used Mkhitaryan at a variety of positions around the striker and as a second striker as well. Griezmann can play as a sole man forward, as a second striker, as a number ten, on the right or on the left. And considering the scarcity of left-footed players in the Manchester United attack, the Frenchman will bring something new to the plate. He can cut in from the right flank, while Anthony Martial bombs in from the left, making the United attack all the more dynamic and more threatening on the break.
It isn't just this that would make Griezmann a perfect signing, but the manner in which he is willing to do the dirty work would fit into the way Mourinho wants a number ten to be. The hard-working, counter-attacking system at Atlético under Diego Simeone has shaped the kind of player Griezmann is and Mourinho would benefit from his style more than anyone else. And unlike Mkhitaryan, who won't really do the dirty work off the ball, Griezmann will drop deep and defend instead of often disappearing in games and not doing enough on or off the ball.
The release clause that Atlético have appended to Griezmann’s name will see him go for a 100 million euros and with Mourinho slowly approaching his last season as the United boss, it could be a match made in heaven.