Manchester United Transfer News: Antoine Griezmann Talks Amid Latest Rumours

Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann, a reported transfer target for Manchester United and Arsenal, has insisted he has no plans to leave the Spanish capital any time soon. 

Griezmann has emerged as one of the world’s best players in 2016, enjoying a wonderful year with club and country.

Naturally, his displays have triggered links with some of the game's richest clubs, and despite reported nudges from Gunners star Laurent Koscielny to make a switch to the Premier League, the 25-year-old told France Football (h/t Ian Holyman of ESPN FC) he’s happy in Madrid.

"For Arsenal, he speaks to me about it often," the striker said of Koscielny. "But I'm good in Madrid. I don't want to leave. I'm happy here. I have just had a little girl; I play my games; I'm good. Sorry, I'm going to stay. But Arsenal are a good team; they play good football."

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According to John Richardson of the Daily Mirror, United want to sign the Frenchman in a potential £80 million deal as a long-term replacement for skipper Wayne Rooney.

Per OptaJose, although he’s had a tremendous year, Griezmann has been having an uncharacteristically difficult time recently:

The Atletico man has set high standards for himself. In Diego Simeone’s team, he’s the player who sets the tempo at the point of the attack, not only weaving his magic on the ball but closing down opponents and making scampering darts into the channels to give his team-mates options.

Last term, Griezmann was sensational for France and Atletico, although he suffered heartbreak with both. With the former, he lost the 2016 European Championship final to Portugal on home soil, while Atletico lost on penalties to bitter rivals Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League final after coming up short in their pursuit of the Liga title.

Nevertheless, Griezmann finished third in the Ballon d’Or voting and was named as his nation’s best player recently:

For United or Arsenal, landing the Atletico man would be a significant coup. While both teams are in possession of world-class attacking talents, the blend of guile and thrust that Griezmann offers is rare to find in the game.

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The Red Devils possess rapid attackers in the likes of Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford, but someone like Griezmann is much more adept at making smart decisions while carrying the ball at full throttle. If United are eyeing a replacement for Rooney or even veteran striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the former Real Sociedad man would be ideal.

Here’s a reminder of just how good Griezmann has been at times in 2016:

It’s little surprise the forward wants to stick around at the Vicente Calderon, though. As aforementioned, Atletico have consistently challenged for titles, Griezmann is settled and, under Simeone, his game has been lifted to a world-class level.

United have shown they can still attract some of the best players in the game with the likes of Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba joining in the summer. But while they look to be on the right track again under manager Jose Mourinho, Griezmann is in a better environment to challenge for football's top prizes.