UNITED READIES £130 MILLION GRIEZMAN AND LINDELOF SUMMER MOVE

In a bid to step up their pursuit of Antoine Griezman and Victor Lindelof in the summer transfer window, Manchester United have budgeted a whooping £130 million to get the business done.


United manager, Jose Mourinho believes it is needful to improve the squad if his side is to win the Premier League for the first time since 2013 and has therefore prioritized the Atletico Madrid forward to bring more attacking power and Lindelof of Benfica to strengthen the back-line.

France International, Griezman - a rare admirer of Manchester United- is one of the world’s most sought after forwards and despite the Red Devils denied reports on Thursday that personal terms has been agreed, Mourinho has before time made his interest known, seeing the 25-year-old’s capture as the one that define his plans for next season.

Reports suggest the Premier League giants have made contact with player’s representatives late last year, and the possible transfer would see Griezmann pocket the same record £15.8 million annual wages as his compatriot, Paul Pogba.

Atletico would be reluctant to let their star go, but they would be powerless if United could trigger the player’s £86 million release clause, as the Red Devils also face competition from fellow clubs Arsenal and Chelsea.

The coach has also seen 22-year-old Benfica defender as a perfect addition to his defensive line with Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo playing a number of games in the central defense this season.

Mourinho looked at buying the Swede last month, but the deal was complicated, seeing his buyout clause rose from £34.5m to £43m, but that has not put off the Portuguese coach as he is ready to reignite his interest in Benfica’s most valuable defender in the August transfer window.

The shake-up at Old Trafford would continue particularly if United finish out of the top four. Antonio Valencia and skipper Wayne Rooney are to stay another year but the same cannot be said for Ashley Young and Michael Carrick.