Mourinho already planning for life after Rooney with move for potent attacker

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is already eyeing a 2017 move for Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann as he draws up long-term plans at Old Trafford, according to Bleacher Report.

The France international has emerged as one of the top attackers in world football over the course of the past few seasons and shone at EURO 2016, bagging the Golden Boot with six goals.

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His future was the subject of persistent rumours after the international tournament, but Griezmann appeared to kill speculation by signing a new contract in Madrid.

Yet Bleacher Report’s Dean Jones claims Mourinho believes the 25-year-old has one eye on the Premier League and that a 2017 deal is already on the United gaffer’s agenda:

“Jose Mourinho already has a longer-term plan in mind at Man United, and one key piece of the jigsaw in Antoine Griezmann. He thinks the French striker is going to look for a Premier League move next summer.

“Mourinho thinks Griezmann can be a long-term alternative to Rooney in attack. Don’t be surprised to see Griezmann turn up at Old Trafford in 2017.”

Interestingly, Jones moots Griezmann as a long-term alternative to Wayne Rooney.

The Man United captain will be approaching 32 by next summer, suggesting his years playing week in, week out at a top Premier League club could be numbered.