Liverpool has emerged as the new favourites to sign Atletico Madrid striker Antoine Griezmann. According to recent reports, the French international, who reportedly has a £89million release clause in his contract, has been gathering interest from Manchester United of late. However, according to the United Kingdom bookmakers Skybet, the Reds of Merseyside has pipped their rivals and are now the front-runners in the race for the Frenchman’s signature.
With the departure of Phillipe Coutinho for £142m to Barcelona earlier this month, the Merseyside club currently has some cash to splash and could look to bolster their attacking options by bringing in the La Liga star to the Premier League. The latest odds released by Sky Bet have priced Liverpool as 7/2 favourites to sign the player before February 3rd, with Barcelona and Manchester United both at 14/1. However, it is highly likely that the player will stay at the Wanda Metropolitano beyond this month.
It remains to be seen if Jurgen Klopp’s side decides to match his release clause this month in an attempt to land the centre-forward in what would potentially make Liverpool a real contender for the Premier League title next season.
The 26-year-old has featured in 22 matches for Atletico Madrid this season and has scored 8 goals and made 6 assists so far in all competitions. He has lit up the La Liga since his move from Real Sociedad in the summer of 2014. The French striker has gone on to score 91 goals and provide 31 assists in 182 appearances for Diego Simeone’s men over the last few years. He definitely has the potential to make Liverpool a Champions League regular and maybe even compete for the league title next season if the Reds are able to secure his services in the near future.
Jurgen Klopp’s side are currently sitting in fourth place in the Premier League standings. The mammoth signing of defender Virgil Van Dijk from Southampton has gone a long way in addressing some of their issues defensively but the loss of Phillipe Coutinho to Barcelona will come as a big blow for the Merseyside club. They are in need of a creative midfielder in this transfer window and a potential move for Griezmann would allow Roberto Firmino to slot in the attacking midfield role for the Reds.
It remains to be seen if the bookies are right by claiming that Liverpool could potentially sign the La Liga star this month amidst strong interest from Manchester United and Barcelona.
