Manchester United cool interest in Antoine Griezmann as Atletico Madrid transfer ban is upheld
United have also switched priorities with Zlatan Ibrahimovic's future unclear
MANCHESTER UNITED have cooled interest in Atletico Madrid star Antoine Griezmann, according to reports.
With the long-term future of the injured Zlatan Ibrahimovic unclear, Jose Mourinho and the club now believe they need to target a central striker.
Atletico Madrid have also had their transfer ban upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
The club would not be able to sign a replacement for Griezmann until January - pushing his price even higher.
The report that 26-year-old is no longer a priority for the club.
Griezmann had been the club's top target after another stunning season, with United weighing up whether to trigger his £87million release clause.
But now that Ibrahimovic is injured - his serious ACL injury could leave him out until 2018 - United have switched focus.
The squad has enough No 10s without needing to add 26-goal Griezmann who has played as a centre-forward but has been more effective deeper.
Mourinho may want a more traditional striker to replace Zlatan, with the club unlikely to extend his contract.
United have also been linked with Alvaro Morata and Kylian Mbappe this week.
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Ibrahimovic wants to stay at Old Trafford after his contract runs out at the end of June, but at 35 it is unclear what a long-term injury will do to the Swedish legend's talents.
Their current squad boasts just two other central strikers in Marcus Rashford and club captain Wayne Rooney - who has been linked with an exit.
Anthony Martial could play through the middle, but the French starlet failed to win the trust of Mourinho in his first season in charge.
Griezmann, who is currently on international duty with France, has said that his future will be decided this summer - one way or another.
He said: "I’m good with my club, but my future will be decided this summer.
"My agents are talking with Atletico Madrid. We will see what happens.
"My future will be decided soon. If I leave this summer, the date will depend on the World Cup qualifiers.
"I am very happy here at Atletico, and I’ve spoken with my coach, with [teammates] Koke and with Diego Godin.
"The case is the hands of the club president [Enrique Cerezo]."
Inthree seasons at the club, Greizmann has become one of the world's top goalscorers, hitting 83 in just 160 games for Atletico.