Atletico Madrid star Antoine Griezmann wants to make a switch to Barcelona and not Manchester United, according to Spanish reports.
Earlier this year, Griezmann had put pen to paper on a new deal with Atletico, committing his future to the La Liga club until the end of the 2021-22 season.
The Frenchman has made a slow start this season with seven goals to his name from 19 appearances for Atletico in all competitions this season, but has been linked with a move away from the La Liga club.
And according to Spanish newspaper Marca, the French striker wants to join Barcelona.
Griezmann was heavily linked with a move to Manchester United during the summer transfer window.
However, a potential deal broke down due to Atletico Madrid’s transfer ban, which left the La Liga club unable to rope in a replacement.
And Griezmann announced during that time that he would stay put at Atletico as the La Liga club could not sign a replacement due to transfer embargo.
Sources claim that the French star is set to part ways with Atletico in 2018, with Man Utd still linked with a move for the striker.
After missing out on Griezmann in the summer, Man Utd roped in Romelu Lukaku from Everton to bolster their attack.
The Belgian striker made a stunning start to his life at Man Utd but now he has seen a massive dip in his form and the Red Devils are searching the market for long-term attacking options to add more firepower to their frontline.
But it is now being said that the Red Devils bosses have dropped their interest in Griezmann and instead are planning to sign Juventus star Paulo Dybala.
According to Marca, Barcelona will sign players in January and they want players who are available for the Champions League knockout stages.
But two of their top targets – – Philippe Coutinho and Griezmann are cup-tied in the Champions League, having played for Liverpool and Atleico in the European top-flight competition this season.
However, this has not stopped Barcelona from plotting moves to rope in the pair.
Coutinho wants to make a move to the Nou Camp but Liverpool have not changed their stance and are still determined not to sell the Brazilian while a potential Greizmann deal has become complicated after Atletico have filed a complaint against Barcelona to FIFA over an alleged illegal approach of striker Antoine Griezmann.
However, Marca claim that Griezmann wants to join Barcelona and this has forced Man Utd to drop their interest in the French striker.
While the Red Devils bosses were interested, Atletico’s complaint is only about Barcelona with the La Liga club claiming Josep Maria Bartomeu has held talks with Griezmann’s sister and parents about a potential switch to the Nou Camp.
A Fifa spokesman said earlier this month: “We can confirm that we have received a complaint from Atletico Madrid.”
An Atletico statement statement said: “Atletico Madrid have presented a complaint about Barcelona for repeated contact between Barcelona, the player and his people.
“Griezmann has a long contract and this cannot be permitted, while the club also considers it could affect the competition [La Liga] in which Barcelona are currently top and Atletico are second.”
