Manchester United transfer news: Antoine Griezmann targeted in 2017 as long-term replacement for Wayne Rooney, claim reports
Atletico Madrid star linked with Old Trafford switch just one day after summer transfer window closed
MANCHESTER UNITED are being linked with a sensational swoop for Antoine Griezmann in 2017.
Just a day after fans all over the country finally saw a summer of speculation come to an end, the game of cat and mouse has already started.
claim Griezmann is being lined up as Wayne Rooney's long-term replacement as United look to the future.
Skipper Roo is beleived to be on the decline at 30, 14 years after he burst onto the scene as a youngster with Everton.
And with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 34, also an integral part of Jose Mourinho's team, Old Trafford chiefs know they will need new faces.
Anthony Martial - who has impressed since joining from Monaco - and last season's man of the moment Marcus Rashford, 18, are waiting in the wings.
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But they will need world-class talent around them and Griezmann, 25, proved his worth with six goals for hosts France at Euro 2016.
United have already poached Atletico super scout Gerardo Guzman in a deadline-day swoop.
And Atletico would be reluctant to let their star striker join him in January when they would have to pay over the odds for a replacement.
But United have the financial clout to challenge anybody in world football as seen in their record pursuit of Paul Pogba.
Should Mourinho fail to kick-start a side that has struggled since Alex Ferguson's retirement, Ed Woodward is likely to open his chequebook for another busy window.