Opportunity they say comes but once, and in football circles, it can’t be farther from the truth. Transfer windows would often present a club a glaring chance to land a player for the right price, but if things fall through, getting that player might never happen again.
Ask Arsene Wenger!!!
With the future of one of La Liga’s hottest property Antoine Griezmann depending on Diego Simeone’s future at the Vicente Calderon, a once in a lifetime opportunity might just be on the way for prospective suitors.
Manchester United being one. The Red Devils were linked with the 25-year-old during the summer, and from the way their campaign has started, they sure could do with a lethargic goal poacher in the form of the France international.
Here are 3 reasons why Manchester United must not miss out on the chance to sign Antoine Griezmann if they get any.
Other clubs are ready to pounce
Manchester United were inch-close to landing Euros 2016 Young Player of the Tournament Renato Sanches, but they hesitated and felt a deal could be wrapped up right after the Championships. It was too late, and the 19-year-old now stars for Bayern Munich.
History has a way of repeating itself, but United must prevent that if presented with the opportunity of signing Griezmann. Many top sides are monitoring the Atletico forward closely and will go the extra mile to land him with the slightest of chance given.
Mourinho, Ed Woodward and the Manchester United board must act fast if they are to come out tips in the battle for his signature. Their loss would definitely be some other club’s gain, and if the eventual side happens to be in the EPL, the cut will even be deeper given the quality services he renders to the title ambitions.
He can bring back the glory
Despite the hype and hope that surrounded the arrivals of Jose, Zlatan and Pogba, they don’t have the most realistic chance of winning the title. Some even believe they would struggle for a top 3 finish, while that is a debate for another day, opinions on the Red Devils chances will definitely take a different direction if they had an Antoine Griezmann.
With 7 goals in as many La Liga games this season, the France international is on course to help Atletico break the Real Madrid – Barcelona duopoly on the league. They missed out on it last season by just 3 points, and could finally land it again this term after 2 seasons.
That’s how big Griezmann’s influence is in the side. He’s not only able to score goals, he creates them for his teammates, and Manchester United will have a better chance at the title shot with him in their ranks.
He could be the missing piece in the jigsaw
Pogba is yet to click in midfield and Zlatan has the knack of disappearing for some minutes during games. Assembling a mega squad hasn’t solved Manchester United’s problem, but adding Griezmann might just be the final touch needed to make this squad a masterpiece.
He is able to pair Pogba in a more advanced midfield role, while Ibrahimovic’s days of being starved of services up front are over the moment Griezmann arrives.
That attacking conundrum might just need him to get solved, and Jose Mourinho knows too well than to let Antoine slips through his fingers.