Manchester United Transfer News: Antoine Griezmann Talks Reported, Fresh Rumours

Manchester United have reportedly sought the help of "a leading agent" in an attempt to seal a £60 million summer move for Atletico Madrid striker Antoine Griezmann. 

According to Phil Cadden in The Sun, United manager Jose Mourinho is desperate to sign the Frenchman, who he believes can "get the best out of summer signings Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic," and talks have opened over a potential transfer.

Cadden added that the signing of Griezmann, 25, would signal the end of Wayne Rooney's Old Trafford career, while the former Real Sociedad forward would be open to a move to United as his relationship with Atleti and their manager Diego Simeone has soured.

Griezmann's contract with Atleti runs until 2021, and he recently ranked third in the voting for the 2016 Ballon d'Or, behind only Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, per France Football:

He is one of the best players in the world, and the Madrid outfit will be loath to let him go.

The France international and UEFA Euro 2016 Golden Boot winner has been Atleti's star player over the last three seasons—since his move from La Real—as he has netted 50 La Liga goals in 90 appearances and provided 10 assists, per WhoScored.com.

Even if Griezmann does want to leave Atleti, his contract situation and importance to the club may mean that even £60 million will not be enough to prise him away, and United may have to break the world-record transfer fee again.

FRANCK FIFE/Getty Images

The prospect of Griezmann moving to United is an exciting one for Red Devils fans as he could potentially form an effective unit with the likes of compatriot Pogba, Ibrahimovic, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Marcus Rashford.

As noted by Cadden, it would almost certainly see 31-year-old Rooney's playing time limited even further than it has already this season—the United skipper has started only eight Premier League games in 2016-17 so far. 

The latest update Griezmann himself gave about his situation was in a recent interview with France Football in which he said he was "good at Atletico" and couldn't see himself leaving, via Ian Holyman for ESPN FC. 

Seemingly, though, that has not put United off starting the process of signing him, and they will likely pursue Griezmann if he is Mourinho's No. 1 target.