Real Madrid transfer news: Perez wants Antoine Griezmann to replace Karim Benzema

FLORENTINO PEREZ wants to beat Manchester United to the signing of Antoine Griezmann next summer - as he looks to replace Karim Benzema, according to reports in Spain.

Griezmann‏ HUGS Varane for winning Champions League

Perez wants rid of Benzema after growing frustrated with his lack of goals despite Zinedine Zidane’s faith in the French star.

Perez wanted to sign Kylian Mbappe from Monaco to get rid of Benzema now, but was unable to ship him out.

Mbappe only wanted to sign if one of Real’s front three were sold, and with their failure to do business he decided to join PSG instead.

Mbappe’s move is a loan with a compulsory agreement for next summer.

And Perez is now looking at Griezmann and is happy to pay his £89m release clause to bring him from cross-town rivals Atletico Madrid, according to Diario Gol.

Manchester United wanted Griezman this summer but he opted to stay put after Atletico’s transfer embargo was upheld.

United then moved for Romelu Lukaku and re-signed Zlatan Ibrahimovic for another season.

Antoine GriezmannGETTY

Antoine Griezmann is on Real Madrid's radar

Madrid meanwhile stuck with their attack from last season with Marco Asensio expected to be given more game-time.

But Perez is already thinking about next summer with Griezmann on his mind.

The 26-year-old is likely to leave Atletico and while United remain favourites the chance to move to the current European champions and stay in Madrid may prove to hard to turn down.

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