They really could be raiding Madrid this summer.
There are two certainties about the upcoming summer, there will be an abundance of speculation as to whether Antoine Griezmann will leave Atlético Madrid for Manchester United, there will also be an abundance of speculation as to whether David De Gea will leave Old Trafford for Real Madrid.
If the latter is to happen, Manchester United will need a replacement goalkeeper. Even if Jose Mourinho does praise Sergio Romero to the high heavens it is hard to imagine he would have him as their first choice goalkeeper if De Gea were to leave.
Ironically, the man who Manchester United have reportedly lined up to replace De Gea is Atlético goalkeeper Jan Oblak. They would have to pay significantly more than the £18m they paid for De Gea back in 2011.
As per Kaveh Solhekol of Sky Sports, Oblak’s contract means that he has a release clause to the value of a crisp £85m, which would make him by far the most expensive goalkeeper in world football.
If Man United want Jan Oblak this summer, they'll have to make him most expensive goalkeeper in the world. £85m release clause at Atlético
— Kaveh Solhekol (@SkyKaveh) May 13, 2017
Although, if a deal was to go through it is likely that Manchester United would not activate the release clause and would negotiate for a significantly lower sum.
Even if they got Oblak for half that figure, it would mean De Gea heading to Los Blancos and that is the last thing many United fans would want.
United are also in the market for a new striker with Zlatan Ibrahimovic sidelined for the foreseeable future, and according to Manchester Evening News, Real Madrid’s Alvaro Morata is high on their radar.
Morata has struggled to break into Real Madrid’s starting side but the club may be reluctant to let the player go after he rejoined from Juventus last summer on a five-year deal. M.E.N understands that United have made contact with the players camp but any talks are in preliminary stages.
As for Griezmann, it is still touch-and-go as to whether he will move to Old Trafford or not.
Be prepared for constant updates all day every day throughout the summer until there is a definitive conclusion.
