Man Utd Transfer News: Antoine Griezmann deal has two major obstacles - Castles

Manchester United spent the summer pursuing a deal for Griezmann before Atletico Madrid's transfer ban scuppered a move to Old Trafford.

However, despite that, talk remains rife that the France international could yet join Jose Mourinho's side further down the line.

But Castles says a January move to Manchester United is unlikely due to the difficulty of signing players in the mid-season transfer window and the fact he would be cup-tied for their Champions League campaign.

"Griezmann was Jose’s primary transfer target for this window and it was the player himself who said no when he took the phone call from Jose Mourinho," he told the Transfer Window podcast.

"Jose Mourinho is not a man or a coach who takes rejection well.

"I’m not saying it’s impossible but there are two major obstacles to that happening. 

"One is the January window is the worst time to buy any player or do any deal and therefore it could be more expensive than the one they agreed with Atletico Madrid in March or April.

"The other thing is Griezmann himself will be in the middle of a campaign and again he would be cup-tied (in the Champions League).

"Griezmann himself is young enough that a transfer is much more likely next summer’s window."

United's failure to sign Griezmann, however, appears to have worked in their favour.

Mourinho instead opted to shell out £75million on Romelu Lukaku, who left Everton with Wayne Rooney heading to Goodison Park on a free transfer in return.

And the Belgium bulldozer has enjoyed a fine start to life at his new club, finding the net against Real Madrid, West Ham and Swansea.