Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann was set to seal his move to Manchester United this summer until the Spanish club had their transfer ban upheld by the Court of Arbitration of Sport.
According to The Independent, the France international had finalised personal terms with the Red Devils, and all the club had to do was to trigger the €100m release clause in his contract.
However, Atleti’s failure to reduce their FIFA-imposed transfer ban – concluding in January, urged Griezmann to commit his future to the Spanish club for the season.
In a report covered by The Independent, Griezmann’s former representative Eric Olhats has revealed that Griezmann didn’t want to leave the club in a lurch after he came to know of the final verdict of their embargo.
“Griezmann didn’t feel able to leave Atletico. He’s been integral to them and has shown his commitment to the club at a time when they couldn’t sign players. Without the Fifa sanctions he would have gone,” he said.
Nevertheless, Jose Mourinho would not be disappointed with his transfer business with Romelu Lukaku having perfectly adjusted following his move from Everton earlier this summer. The Belgium international has bagged four goals in many games for United and looks set to play a key role for the club through the campaign.
The Special One has been in the search for a world-class wideman to add to his ranks, and it would not come as a surprise if United revive their interest in Griezmann next year.
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