Manchester United rethink £86m move for Antoine Griezmann as Jose Mourinho sets sights on Romelu Lukaku or Alvaro Morata as new No 9
- Antoine Griezmann's potential transfer to Manchester United is in doubt
- Atletico Madrid's ability to sell has been hit by a transfer ban from CAS
- The Spanish club are no longer in a position to buy a replacement for Griezmann
- And Jose Mourinho is now favouring a move for an orthodox striker
- READ: Is Griezmann's move to United dead in the water? How Atletico's failed bid to overturn ban on buys could now trigger transfer chaos
Manchester United have cooled their interest in Antoine Griezmann.
The Old Trafford club's priorities remain to bring in a new No 9 following the injury to Zlatan Ibrahimovic and they are targeting the likes of Everton's Romelu Lukaku and Alvaro Morata of Real Madrid.
United are admirers of Griezmann but the France international is seen more as a No 10 who can play off the main forward and Jose Mourinho wants to focus recruitment on bringing in a more orthodox centre forward.
Antoine Griezmann looks like he will be staying at Atletico Madrid after a CAS ruling
The forward and Manchester United target has been training with the France squad this week
Atletico will only sell Griezmann for his buyout clause of £86million, particularly in light of Thursday's ruling from the Court of Arbritation for Sport that prevents them from signing players until January 2018.
The club have seen their summer plans go up in smoke after their transfer ban was upheld by CAS. Atletico were hit with a two-window transfer ban by FIFA last year over illegal youth signings. The rules are designed to prevent child trafficking and luring young players from their home nation.
News outlets in Spain reported the decision, which will see Diego Simeone unable to register any new players for his squad until January 2018.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic's serious knee injury means United are looking for a new No 9
Everton's Romelu Lukaku (left) and Alvaro Morata of Real Madrid are on their radar
The decision will force Atletico to do all they can to hold on to their current crop of stars, casting huge doubt on their ability to sell Griezmann as no replacement can be bought.
Their move for Lyon striker and Arsenal target Alexandre Lacazette, or the potential return of Diego Costa, now look dead in the water.
A statement from CAS read: 'The Panel found that not all of the alleged violations of the FIFA regulations concerning the registration of minor players could be upheld, which justified a reduction of the fine from 900,00 Swiss Francs (£720,000) to 550,000 Swiss Francs (£440,000) but not of the transfer ban imposed on the club by FIFA.'
Alexandre Lacazette (left) now looks like he will not replace Griezmann at Atletico
United, meanwhile, have not received a bid from Real Madrid for David de Gea.
Despite reports of a £60m offer for the Spain No 1, United insist that has yet to happen.
The timing of such news is considered strange in Madrid with Keylor Navas performing so well in recent weeks and preparing for the weekend's Champions League final against Juventus.
As Sportsmail initially reported in April, United remain confident they are in a strong enough position to rebuff any bids that do come from the Spanish champions.
Games | Mins | Goals | Mins/Goal | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Alvaro Morata | 42 | 1,873 | 20 | 93.7 |
Romelu Lukaku | 39 | 3,447 | 26 | 132.6 |
Antoine Griezmann | 53 | 4,555 | 26 | 175.2 |
Most watched Sport videos
- Kevin Sinfield carries Rob Burrow over marathon finishing line
- Jude Bellingham commiserates Dortmund players after UCL win
- Marlion Pickett sticking his finger up at fans
- Friend of Rob Burrow says late rugby star was a 'superhero'
- Chennedy Carter refuses to answer questions about Caitlin Clark
- Angel Reese explains why she will continue to be the WNBA's 'bad guy'
- Dortmund fan moves interviewer to tears after declining ticket offer
- Chennedy Carter bodychecks Caitlin Clark while Angel Reese cheers
- Jude Bellingham's reaction as he wins his first ever UCL
- Real Madrid lift the Champions League trophy after 2-0 win
- Kroos exits the Champions League final on his last ever game
- Chennedy Carter breaks her silence on Caitlin Clark bodycheck