Manchester United round-up: Shock Sanchez contact; Bale bid rumours; Griezmann almost signed

By Sam Leveridge     AUG 29, 2017

In a shocking late twist to one of the transfer sagas of the summer, the Independent claim that Alexis Sanchez’s agent had made contact with Manchester United. He is seeking to engineer a move away from Arsenal with an agreement with Manchester City still some way off despite being the Chilean’s preferred option.

Sanchez has become one of the Premier League’s most exciting talents with his trickery, skill, technical ability and goals. Entering into the final 12 months of his contract in London, he could leave for free next summer but seems desperate to make a departure this summer to remain in the Champions League.

Another huge superstar could be on his way to Old Trafford too as Spanish source Don Balon say that Manchester United have made a €100 million (£93 million) bid for Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale. The report gives no indication on whether or not Real Madrid would consider such an offer.

However, the source is far from the most reliable in Spain and many of Spain’s more reliable outlets, such as journalist Guillem Balague, say that there is no chance of any agreement taking place before Thursday’s transfer deadline. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Bale linked again in January or next summer though.

One deal which looked set to happen was the signing of Atletico Madrid ace Antoine Griezmann. A move collapsed early this summer though and his then agent, Eric Olhats, who has since stopped working with the left sided forward, is quoted by the Independent as revealing:

“Griezmann didn’t feel able to leave Atletico. He’s been integral to them and has shown his commitment to the club at a time when they couldn’t sign players. Without the Fifa sanctions he would have gone.”

Griezmann instead stayed in the Spanish capital and signed a new deal which doubled his release clause. The club are moving into their new home at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium this season, but Griezmann could miss out having been sent off in the first game of the season against newly promoted Girona.