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Manchester United target Antoine Griezmann has separated from his agent ahead of a possible transfer from Atletico Madrid.

The 25-year-old Madrid forward is United'sprime target ahead of the 2017 summer transfer window and has decided to represent himself in the future.

"From now I'm going to operate without an agent," he told L'Equipe. "But I will always have the advice of my father and also my mentor, Eric Olhats." Olhats is the Real Sociedad scout who discovered Griezmann at a youth tournament in Montpellier.

United received an additional boost after reports emerged Atletico coach Diego Simeone had reduced his contract by two years. Griezmann recently suggested his future at the Vicente Calderon hinged on the Argentinian remaining in charge.

"Simeone is a very important person for me, and that is why I called him before renewing [contract]," Griezmann said earlier this month.

"He told me he was staying and that was sufficient for me. I'm happy in Spain and I have a lot of things to learn from him." Simeone will now be a free agent in 2018, rather than 2020.

Atletico lost their appeal against a 2017 transfer ban, which could complicate matters for United to sign Griezmann. Jose Mourinho is hopeful United's French contingent could convince Griezmann to join the club next year, however.

The addition of Paul Pogba and French-speaking Eric Bailly have bolstered United's Gallic presence following Morgan Schneiderlin's and Anthony Martial's arrivals last year.

Schneiderlin is believed to be particularly friendly with Griezmann, while Pogba reunited with his France teammate on holiday in Miami in July.

Griezmann delighted United's fans hours before Pogba's second debut against Southampton last month by tweeting the 'Pogback' hashtag the club had adopted to greet their record signing. The post was retweeted 19,000 times and liked by 28,000 users.