The Top Flight
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Griezmann not going to Manchester

By Matthew Bowers

MADRID, SPAIN - MAY 01: Antoine Griezmann of Atletico de Madrid saves on a header during a training session ahead of the UEFA Champions League Semifinal First leg match between Real Madrid CF and Club atletico de Madrid at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on May 1, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN - MAY 01: Antoine Griezmann of Atletico de Madrid saves on a header during a training session ahead of the UEFA Champions League Semifinal First leg match between Real Madrid CF and Club atletico de Madrid at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on May 1, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images) /
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Perhaps the biggest transfer rumor of the summer is not going to happen. Antoine Griezmann will stay in the Spanish capital next season after being linked with a move to Manchester United.

Turn off the lights, everyone go home. There’s nothing to see here. The highly anticipated mega-transfer of summer 2017 is a no-go after weeks and months of speculation. The noise started after Atletico lost to their cross-town rivals in the Champions League semifinal last month. The French forward has agreed a new offer from his current club after initially being reported to have interest in a move to Manchester United.

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This story seemed to move very quickly, relatively to other transfer speculation. For weeks after Atletico fell to the mighty Real Madrid in the Champions League for the third straight season, the buzz was that the French starlet wanted to leave the Vicente Calderon for the big bucks and bright lights of Old Trafford. Unfortunately for Jose Mourinho, the Madrid underdogs locked up the former Real Sociedad striker on an extension through 2021 with a $100 million buy-out clause.

Manchester United are desperate to use their exorbitant financial resources to bring a world-class forward to town. After Zlatan Ibrahimovic suffered a knee injury that would end his season and put his future with United in question, the Red Devils need help on offense. At the moment, young Marcus Rashford is the only senior team striker available for Mourinho. Considering Griezmann’s age and absolutely sensational three seasons with Atletico, he might be the most valuable striker in the world.

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In the Frenchman’s three seasons with Atletico, he scored 83 goals. He scored at least 25 goals in each season. In two of the three seasons, Atleti reached the Champions League final. It’s tough to say whether or not moving to Manchester is even better for Griezmann. In the near future, Atletico will be a better team and more competitive in Europe. The underestimated Madrid side have been regular challengers at Europe’s highest level for the last few seasons. The French superstar probably has a better chance at winning European trophies with Atleti than with United.

As for Manchester, they are reportedly interested in Golden Boot runner-up Romelu Lukaku of Everton to be their number 9.

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