According to Manchester Evening News, Manchester United dropped their interest in Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann in order to pursue Real Madrid attacker Gareth Bale this summer.
What’s the story?
It appeared almost certain that Griezmann would be heading for Man United in an £87m deal this summer, but after Atletico failed in an appeal to have their transfer ban overturned, talk of a move for the Frenchman ended.
It is understood that Griezmann could now sign a new contract at Atletico after Man United ‘cooled their interest’, but according to Manchester Evening News, Bale was a key reason in the English giants switching their focus away from the Atletico forward.
It is understood that the Red Devils have been given a boost in their pursuit of Bale, who started the 2017 Champions League final on the bench after missing the last month of the La Liga season with a calf problem.
The notion that Bale is unsettled in Madrid as he continues to play second fiddle to Cristiano Ronaldo has strengthened once again, and it has been claimed that Man United, who would have to spend £100m, are confident of signing the player that they missed out on in the summer of 2013.
Why would Real Madrid sell the Welshman?
Before Saturday night’s Champions League final, Bale had managed nine goals in 26 appearances for Real Madrid during the 2016-17 campaign.
The Wales international has struck 67 goals since arriving at the Bernabeu, including 22 in his first campaign in Madrid, before finding the back of the net on 19 occasions last term. This season, however, has been interrupted by an ongoing calf problem.
Real Madrid paid close to £80m to bring Bale to the Bernabeu in September 2013, but the attacker would now command a £100m transfer fee from Man United, which would bring a healthy profit.
The presence of Isco and Marco Asensio has also led to suggestions that Real Madrid are a better team without Bale, whilst Ronaldo is showing no signs of slowing down as he continues to produce on the biggest of stages.
Man United’s long-standing interest in the Welshman is not a secret, and it would be some coup for Red Devils boss Jose Mourinho if he could land the 27-year-old this summer.