Man United target Antoine Griezmann tells Atletico Madrid he wants to leave

Manchester United target Antoine Griezmann has told Atletico Madrid that he wants to leave the club this summer, according to The Daily Telegraph.

The 26-year-old has been one of the most prolific forwards in world football over the last few years, and this season was no different, with the France international bagging 26 goals in just 53 games for Diego Simeone’s side, helping them to third place in La Liga.

This adds to his best goal-scoring season at the club last time out, in which he netted 32 times in 54 matches to help Simeone’s men reach the Champions League final, as well as his first campaign at the Vicente Calderon, when he scored 25 goals in 53 appearances.

Yet his future has been subject to heavy speculation throughout the campaign following his stunning exploits for France at the European Championships last summer, with Jose Mourinho’s United repeatedly linked with a move for the forward.

And recent reports suggest that a deal for Griezmann could be edging closer, as the 26-year-old has reportedly told Atletico that he plans to leave the club this summer after 160 appearances and 83 goals for the Spanish giants.

However, it has also been reported that United will have to meet his £87 million release clause to have any chance of landing Griezmann this summer, although with the Red Devils’ financial power and desire to get back challenging at the top of the Premier League, that’s unlikely to be an issue.

United boss Mourinho led the side to two trophies this season, the League Cup and Europa League, the latter securing Champions League football next term, yet he will simply have to improve upon their sixth place Premier League finish next time round, as the Manchester outfit go in search of their first league title since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013.