Manchester United are odds-on to complete the signing of French star Antoine Griezmann this summer.

The 26-year-old has been strongly linked with United for over 12-months but now wide-spread reports claim a deal is close and SkyBet list him as short as 4/7.

The player has an £86million release clause in his deal at Atletico Madrid, and United are one of a number of clubs ready to pay.

Rivals, Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City are also keen – but United are understood to be in pole position.

The player’s entourage has been quoted in the French press, confirming that nothing is yet in place.

“There is no verbal or contractual agreement with any club. Big clubs have enquired, notably English ones,” they told L’Equipe.

“He has both feet firmly at Atleti.”

Griezmann enjoying himself in French training session ? pic.twitter.com/gaKxHAsNVI

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This came after Atletico coach Diego Simeone confirmed there is nothing they can do to stop the player leaving.

“There is a termination clause. There is no security,” said Simeone.

“That’s what he told me [in the summer talks] – if you stay, I’ll stay and I said yes, why would I not stay? And they began to work with the representatives for everything that had to be signed. And he stayed.

“And from now on I do not know what can happen. He would never let me tell him to stay. I did not do it with [Diego] Costa or [Radamel] Falcao.

“To the players who have given me life I accompany them in the decisions that they make. But it is clear that for as long as he stays, the team and the club will continue to grow.”

Our Football Insider Graeme Bailey believes landing Griezmann would continue to show Man United’s power off-the-field.

“Under Jose Mourinho United have improved this season, they have won one trophy and could win the Europa League, and this came after some significant investment including the world’s most expensive player in Paul Pogba,” Bailey told TheGamblingTimes.com.

“And landing Griezmann would be hugely significant, it would really fire the shot across the bows of every other top European club.

“And in Griezmann they would be getting one of the best player’s in the world, who I would have little doubt would make an instant impact in the Premier League.”