Manchester United holding No.7 shirt and set aside £100m for Atletico Madrid star Antoine Griezmann
Jose Mourinho wasn't able to lure the Frenchman away from Madrid this summer but has already put plans in motion to sign him next summer if not before
MANCHESTER UNITED have not assigned their iconic No.7 shirt to anyone this season.
Instead they are reportedly leaving it for Atletico Madrid star Antoine Griezmann as well as putting aside £100million to get the deal done.
The Daily Star report that United boss Jose Mourinho is still desperate to land the forward after talks of a move this summer were halted when he signed a new five-year deal with the Rojiblancos.
He opted to stay at Atletico to see out the clubs transfer ban that ends in January.
It may still be hard to bring the French ace to Manchester that early though, with the January transfer window being more difficult to make major moves.
So Mourinho may be without the iconic jersey on the pitch for the entire season.
The No. 7 has been worn by United legends including George Best, Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona, David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo - Mourinho has Griezmann lined up as the next star to be honoured with the number.
The £100m set aside will be enough to activate the strikers release clause but even with the early preparations at Old trafford they will likely still face fierce competition from around Europe.
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Also ready to pounce are Chelsea, who have bargaining power by using Blues outcast Diego Costa who has been a long-time target for the Spanish club.
The Brazilian forward has expressed his desire to return to his old club, even relocating his family to the Spanish capital, after Antonio Conte left him out of his plans at Stamford Bridge.
Barcelona could also put up a fight for Griezmann after their failed efforts to land Philippe Coutinho.
