Manchester United Transfer News: Cristiano Ronaldo, Antoine Griezmann Rumours

Manchester United missed out on Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo this summer because of Kylian Mbappe's decision to join Paris Saint-Germain, but the Red Devils could capture Antoine Griezmann in January for a hugely reduced fee.

Duncan Castles of the Sunday Times reported Ronaldo had "made it clear" he was ready to return to Old Trafford but that Mbappe's refusal to move to Los Blancos killed the proposed deal (h/t Alex Harris of the Daily Star). The 18-year-old's father was unconvinced a move to the Spanish capital would be in his son's best interest, inadvertently ending Ronaldo's hopes of a return to the Premier League.

Per Castles, Ronaldo recently told a Spanish court he "would like to go back to England," but the transfer window has closed without the player getting his wish. Mbappe opted for a switch to PSG, and United brought back Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

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Ronaldo's return to the Theatre of Dreams would have been the dream arrival for the United fans who long to see the Portugal captain in red once more.

The forward scored 37 goals and provided 11 assists in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League combined last term, according to WhoScored.com, as Madrid won both tournaments.

A partnership with Romelu Lukaku would have been a mouthwatering prospect, and many United supporters will dream of their former idol returning to the club at a later date.

Ibrahimovic proved a veteran can score goals in England late in his career despite the physical nature of the Premier League, and Ronaldo could make an impact if he were to leave Spain next summer.

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In other news, United's long chase of Griezmann might yet bear fruit after rumours surfaced about a massive reduction in his release clause.

According to Joe Miles of The Sun, United could save as much as £91.5 million on the France international: "Griezmann signed a new contract extension that saw his release clause rocket from £91.57 million to £183.14 million. However, this new deal expired on August 31, 2017, and his release clause is set to be halved."

Griezmann was a primary target for United at the back end of last season, but the player remained in the Spanish capital.

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Per Miles, the player appeared to have mixed feelings about a move to English football, but a midseason transfer could favour all parties as United chase domestic and European glory.

Griezmann would be the perfect long-term partner for Lukaku in Mourinho's attack, and the presence of Paul Pogba could also tempt the hitman to the north-west.

Pogba and Griezmann are friends and international team-mates, and their chemistry could see the Old Trafford giants complete a deal with Atletico Madrid for the forward in the future.