Pep Guardiola is one of the heaviest spenders in Europe in recent times and not much might change this summer at Etihad. Though he is running away with the league title, it is evident that the Spanish manager is desperate for some additions to his first team, for the upcoming campaign.
There are particular areas in the squad that need to be strengthened and Guardiola wants a centre-forward to add to his strike force. This has seen City linked with some of the finest stars in Europe and the one name that is exciting many fans is Antoine Griezmann.
The French international joined Atletico Madrid in 2014 and has slowly established himself as one of the most consistent goal scorers in Europe at the moment. He has 15+ league goals in every season he has played at the Spanish capital and is a transfer target for both Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid.
Manchester United have also been linked with a move for Griezmann but reports now claim that Guardiola has placed him at the top of his wish-list for this summer. According to reports from Spain, Manchester City are ready to meet his release clause of €100m, which both Barcelona and Real are also happy to pay.
But City are desperate for Griezmann and are ready to add star striker Sergio Aguero as a part of the deal. The 29-year old Argentine has been Etihad since 2011 and has 199 goals and 58 assists in 290 appearances for Manchester City in all competitions. He spent five seasons at Atletico Madrid, where he managed 175 league appearances and it is understood that Aguero could help Atleti sell Griezmann to them over their La Liga rivals.
At 29, the Argentine is not a long-term option but remains one of the best goal scorers in Europe. He will be a huge loss for any side but City will find an upgrade in Antoine Griezmann, who is still 26 and is yet to hit his peak as a footballer.
He is an integral part of the French national team in the World Cup in Russia is one of the best players in the game at the moment.His movement, technical ability, attitude and style of play fit in well under Guardiola’s system and he is one of the very few players who can actually improve an already deadly squad at Etihad.
With Gabriel Jesus the only other player to compete with, Griezmann will walk in the first team at City and could start a genuine legacy in England. But can he be a hit in the Premier Leauge?
