Football: Where is Griezmann Going to End Up?

The upholding of Atletico Madrid’s transfer ban has left the Spanish club unable to sign any players until 2018, and it seems to have stalled the transfer of Griezmann to Manchester United. United has apparently withdrawn its interest due to the French forward being “too much of a number 10” as the Manchester club seems to be on the hunt for a number 9.

Despite the fact that Griezmann has scored 60 goals in 111 games for the Spanish club the baffling judgement in Manchester seems to be that he lacks the firepower United require.

Where next?

If United’s interest is truly no longer in the French striker, I’d put my money on him moving to Arsenal. Arsenal has recently submitted a £90m bid for in-demand forward Kylian Mbappe although most transfer specialists believe it is a bid to show intent from the club and I believe it could be a way to suggest that the Gunners have some money in the tank. Mbappe is more than likely to move to Manchester City triggering a merry-go-round of centre-forwards moving from other parts of Europe to England including a possible battle between Manchester United and Liverpool for Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette.

Which would leave little to no competition for Griezmann. Given his and Arsenal’s partnership with Puma (similar to Paul Pogba and United’s links to adidas), I would argue that it is a match made in heaven for all parties involved.

Alexis Sanchez is set to leave London for Munich this summer leaving the door open for a new forward to come to the Emirates. Sanchez’s style of play, in terms of dropping deep to receive the ball, is quite similar to the Atletico forward’s. The one key difference is Griezmann’s ability to play in and around a bigger centre-forward such as Olivier Giroud, as he has done for France. Dare I say, it could be a straight swap with Arsenal getting the better half of the deal.

What can we expect?

An Arsene Wenger bottle job or a Wenger masterclass. Once known for his acute management of players and his ability to attract the world’s best developing stars, Wenger may well have to dig in and find his old spirit to lure Griezmann into a move. If he manages that, I can assure you Arsenal fans will forgive him for last season and start burning all their hate banners.

But if he doesn’t pull it off and fails to land Lacazette or Mbappe then expect a dangerous backlash from the fans as this first bid for Mbappe has set the expectations of the fans incredibly high. Succeeding or failing with a bid to sign Griezmann might truly prove whether it should be Wenger in or Wenger out.

 

by Nubaid Haroon  YouTube: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCtMg-fWm7awR41vM1GhVOkA  Twitter: twitter.com/rambofyi

 

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