Manchester United’s pursuit of Antoine Griezmann hinges on Champions League football

Manchester United will have to finish in the top four this season in order to have any chance of landing Atletico Madrid striker Antoine Griezmann this summer, according to The Sun.

Jose Mourinho’s side have made signing Griezmann their top priority in the summer as the Portuguese manager looks to shape United into a side capable of winning the Premier League.

United are reportedly even willing to pay a world record fee to land the 25-year-old at the end of the season but it is now understood that Griezmann has no interest in playing in the Europa League and will only be willing to move to Old Trafford if they can offer Champions League football next season.

The Red Devils are currently two points adrift of fourth place in sixth and face a real challenge to finally break into the Champions League positions, although they are on the current longest unbeaten streak of any team in the Premier League (15 games).

Griezmann was the star of Euro 2016 and has firmly established himself as one of the best players in the world in recent years after making breathtaking progress at Atletico under Diego Simeone.

In the last three La Liga campaigns Griezmann has scored at least 34 more goals than any other Atletico player (52).

For more stats on Antoine Griezmann, click here to visit his WhoScored player page