Manchester United are reportedly tracking one of the French national team's most important players as a potential signing, and Cristiano Ronaldo replacement, in January.
Having spent a mammoth £216 million (R4.3 billion) on the signings of Lisandro Martinez, Antony, Casemiro, and Tyrell Malacia in the recent transfer window, United are believed to be willing to spend big in the next window too.
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Manager Erik ten Hag is understood to be keen to bolster his squad further early in 2023 as he hopes to secure a top-four finish in his first campaign with the club.
Having been linked with various forwards in the past few months, the Red Devils are understood to be targeting a striker who could replace Cristiano Ronaldo, whose contract expires at the end of this season although some believe he may look to leave Old Trafford in January already.
There has also been no indication that the Portuguese talisman's stay will be extended, despite the club having an option to keep him for a further year.
According to The Athletic, the English giants are now tracking Atletico Madrid and France marksman Antoine Griezmann as a result.
The Frenchman currently finds himself in a strange situation in which he has been restricted to featuring for no more than 45 minutes at a time in matches for Los Rojiblancos.
It is understood that Diego Simeone's side is avoiding having to pay the player's parent club FC Barcelona a mandatory transfer fee of €40 million (R707 million) should Griezmann play a certain number of minutes in the matches he is available for this season.
Atleti feel that price is too steep, while Barca are understood to be considering legal action regarding the matter. At the same time, Griezmann is understood to have become annoyed at the situation, especially with the 2022 FIFA World Cup on the horizon, so a cut-price deal that would see him leave Atletico and Barca could be on the cards in January.
Read: Barca 'preparing lawsuit' against Atletico over Griezmann
United, meanwhile, are now said to be looking to pounce on the 31-year-old, who got a surprise start in the Madrid derby on Sunday.
Ten Hag's side reportedly had a failed attempt to land the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner's signature in August, and their pursuit of the star remains a priority.
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