Antoine Griezmann won’t be joining Manchester United this summer.
The French forward had been linked with a transfer to United for several months, and all signs pointed towards the club breaking the world transfer record for Griezmann.
However, the 26-year-old is set to sign a new deal with Atletico Madrid, according to reports in Spain. While United are said to be after a central striker, rather than a number 10, due to Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s injury.
https://twitter.com/SportsJOE_UK/status/870552393364238336
So, there’ll be no protracted summer transfer saga involving Griezmann, who looks set to remain at Atletico for at least another season.
However, someone has failed to make Ray Wilkins aware of this.
The former Chelsea and United midfielder was on Sky Sports News on Saturday afternoon, and touted Griezmann with a move to the Premier League.
But rather than say United, the world’s richest football club, should go back in for the talented forward, Wilkins reckons Tottenham Hotspur should break the bank for him.
The transfer ban has been upheld this morning https://t.co/18h6THislB
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) June 1, 2017
“They (Spurs need to spend in a forward position because if Harry Kane gets injured, they’re going to struggle,” Wilkins said.
“Wouldn’t Tottenham look wonderful with (Hugo) Lloris, that back three of (Eric) Dier, (Jan) Vertonghen, (Toby) Alderweireld, (Danny) Rose on the left, (Kyle) Walker on the right, (Victor) Wanyama and (Mousa) Dembele, Dele (Alli), Griezmann, Harry Kane?”
Wilkins is right, Spurs would look great with Griezmann in the team. They would also look great with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in their team, but that’s not going to happen.
That’s not a slight against Spurs, who are an excellent team. But the club aren’t going to break the world transfer record for a player, and Griezmann’s wage demands would shatter their wage structure.
They also have a new stadium to pay for.
The Griezmann saga looks to be well and truly over now https://t.co/nVh5yHWQBe
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) June 3, 2017
However, Wilkins wasn’t about to let reality get in the way of his theory.
“You’ve got a chance of winning, you’ve already got the best defence, now you add Griezmann alongside Harry Kane with Dele sitting in behind him, you’ve got three players who score goals,” he said.
“If Tottenham think they are going to win the league with the guys they got at the moment, then I think they’re barking up the wrong tree for next season.”
You can watch the clip here:
