Manchester United might not be making any big-money moves in January, but a marquee move for Antoine Griezmann in the summer appears to be one step closer.
Griezmann has been linked with the club for some time, and is thought to have spoken to international teammate Paul Pogba about life at Old Trafford.
The Independent reports that intermediaries for the French forward have been speaking to the club to iron out matters such as a weekly wage and a prospective shirt number, ahead of a move that would likely involve a transfer fee of €100m (£86.4m).
And more than a few United fans have been putting two and two together with regards to the latter, noting that Griezmann’s Atlético Madrid squad number is about to become available.
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United winger Memphis is in Lyon ahead of a prospective move to the seven-time French champions, for whom former Old Trafford favourite Rafael is currently playing his football.
The Dutchman is expected to complete a permanent move to the Ligue 1 club, though United may have a buy-back option.
Memphis Depay est arrivé à Lyon pour discuter des termes de son futur contrat avec l'OL, assisté de ses agents qui arriveront ce jeudi. pic.twitter.com/yIAxf3NDyK
— Olympique Lyonnais (@OL) January 18, 2017
Since signing for £25m in 2015, Memphis has been the latest victim of the number seven curse, with Cristiano Ronaldo’s successors struggling to live up to the hype.
Michael Owen struggled to make much of an impact while wearing Ronaldo’s old squad number, as did Ángel di María, while Antonio Valencia has been more effective while wearing the number 25.
But Griezmann wore the number seven shirt for France at the European Championships, where he won Player of the Tournament, and has made the number his own since joining Atléti from Real Sociedad in 2014.
If anyone can lift the curse, it’s him, and United fans have been joining the dots.
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