Griezmann turns down Man Utd move

The French forward is understood to have spoken to Jose Mourinho to explain why he is staying put, but United still want to sign a star name this summer

Antoine Griezmann has turned down the opportunity of a summer move to Manchester United on Thursday to stay at La Liga club Atletico Madrid.

According to The Independent , Atletico successfully persuaded Griezmann to stay at the club for another season, after manager Diego Simeone made a personal intervention to convince the striker over the previous 24 hours.

It is also understood that the French star rang United and spoke with manager Jose Mourinho to inform of his decision. Griezmann was talked as United's primary transfer target over the past few weeks and the Old Trafford hierarchy was willing to pay his 85million euros buy-out-clause.

But reports on Thursday in the UK media claimed the Premier League giants had cooled their interest in the 26-year-old. On the same day the Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld Atletico's player registration ban, Griezmann tweeted his commitment to the Spanish side.

He posted: "Ahora mas que nunca #Atleti." on his personal account. The tweet translates as: "Now more than ever Atleti."

Mourinho’s interest in Griezmann remains and it is believed by all parties that United could look to revive in the deal in the future, but the club still want to sign a star name this summer.

Griezmann has 83 goals in 160 appearances for Atletico and came third behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in the 2016 Ballon d'Or poll.