Chelsea hurt Manchester United’s chances to sign Antoine Griezmann
Chelsea could cost their Premier League rivals dearly
It’s no secret that Jose Mourinho desperately wants to bring Atletico Madrid attacker Antoine Griezmann to play for him at Manchester United. Unfortunately for The Special One, Chelsea’s decision to send Diego Costa back to Spain may scupper United’s chances of making a deal for the talented Frenchman.
Reports from Spain claim that Griezmann is taking a very active interest in Atletico’s ability to attract and retain top-level talent. The Frenchman was very pleased with the club’s ability to bring Costa back home to Spain. He’s also keenly interested in the club’s ability to sign keeper Jan Oblak to a long-term deal.
Griezmann’s interest in Atletico’s personnel moves aren’t a good sign for United’s chances at signing him this summer. Even with a reported £100 million release clause in his contract, Mourinho and company still need to convince Griezmann that a move to Old Trafford is in his best interest. Presumably if he thinks Atletico are just as talented, he’d be very hard to convince to make a move.
One can’t underestimate just how much the Costa signing is going to effect this situation. Not only does it bring another world-class attacker to play alongside Griezmann, it also gives Diego Simeone’s squad a physical centre forward. That means that Griezmann is freed up to play as an attacking midfielder or secondary striker. That freedom plays to the Frenchman’s strengths.
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In fairness, United have a pretty talented, physical centre forward as well. Romelu Lukaku isn’t quite as mean as Costa, but he is younger and just as prolific. Griezmann wouldn’t need to play as a single striker at United either.
Manchester United aren’t just trying to prove to Griezmann they are as good of a club for him to play for as Atletico. Instead, they need to convince him they are a far superior option. That’s why high-level talent moving to Atletico should represent a serious concern for United’s summer transfer plans.
Next: Antonio Conte needs to stop threatening Chelsea
Chelsea didn’t sell Diego Costa to Atletico Madrid with hurting Manchester United in mind, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t happy it turned out to be a byproduct of the move. Jose Mourinho will have to work even harder to convince Antoine Griezmann to call Old Trafford home after the Blues allowed Atletico to strengthen the attacking corps around him.