Manchester United dealt blow in chase of Antoine Griezmann as striker wants to stay at Atletico Madrid
Jose Mourinho was hoping to land the French forward in January or next summer but the return of Costa to Madrid could scupper his plans
MANCHESTER UNITED have been dealt a major transfer blow as Atletico Madrid striker Antoine Griezmann will stay on in Spain to partner Diego Costa.
According to El Confidencial, Costa will not be replacing the French forward, but will form a deadly partnership with Greizmann in the second half of the season.
Atletico have finally got their man back after agreeing a £67million fee with Chelsea for the forward, after three years at Stamford Bridge.
Costa will only be able to make his second debut for Los Rojiblancos in January, once the club’s transfer embargo is lifted.
It’s the same embargo that scuppered United’s move for Griezmann when he looked Old Trafford bound in the summer.
The 26-year-old decided against the switch, knowing boss Diego Simeone could not replace him until January transfer window.
Simoene, who has extended his stay to lead the side into the new Wanda Metrpolitano stadium, was desperate to keep last season’s top scorer at the club knowing a deal for Spaniard was in the offing.
United boss Jose Mourinho could now turn his attention Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez.
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The Chilean has no intention of staying in North London and was close to joining his former Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.
United have been quoted a £25million signing-on fee for the 28-year-old who will be a free agent next summer.
Sanchez is free to agree a deal with club on the continent in January, but he cannot officially agree to join another English side until his contract expires.
But the forward could sit tight until next summer and pen a lucrative deal with United or City could make a tilt for him in January.
