Manchester United transfer news: Chelsea to join race for Jose Mourinho target Antoine Griezmann

Manchester United will be rivalled by Chelsea for the signing of Antoine Griezmann with the two Premier League giants set to go head-to-head next summer.

After reports Real Madrid forwards Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo had signed new long-term deals with the European Cup winners, Jose Mourinho has identified Euro 2016 player of the tournament Griezmann as his target for next summer.

The 25-year-old scored six goals in France over the summer as well as leading Atletico Madrid to their second Champions League final in three years.

United have grown confident of a deal as a result of the burgeoning relationship between Griezmann and Paul Pogba, who joined the club from Juventus for a world-record £89m in August.

The Euro 2016 golden boot winner, who has scored 62 goals in 113 games for Atletico and said of Pogba this week: “We get on very well. It is true that the Euros has brought us closer together still.

"Paul is a really nice guy. He is it! We send messages, Snapchats. He’s really a good friend. When he plays with his club, I try to look at it to see if he had a good game or not.”

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The Red Devils will have to part with a figure similar to that which they paid the Serie A champions, with United willing to pay the £88m release clause in Griezmann’s contract.

However, Chelsea are now also believed to be willing to pay the release clause as part of a £150m summer spending spree commissioned by owner Roman Abramovich.

Manager Antonio Conte is desperate to bolster his squad both defensively and in attack, with a £60m move for Juventus’ Leonardo Bonucci also in the pipeline.