According to reports from London 24 this morning, Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has adamantly denied the club will launch a bid for Atletico Madrid star Antoine Griezmann in the coming transfer window.
The France international moved to Vincente Calderon only last summer in a £24million deal, but a return since of 25 goals in 54 appearances is believed to have triggered interest from some of his former Premier League suitors – namely Chelsea and Manchester United, as This Is Futbol revealed last month.
Some sources have claimed the 24 year-old is interested in a move to Stamford Bridge, having adapted so quickly to a similar-in-philosophy Atletico side, despite the Mattress Makers insisting any club would have to meet Griezmann’s £43.5million release clause.
But Blues boss Jose Mourinho has sought to pour cold water on such rumours, publicly insisting he’s ‘not interested’ in the former Real Sociedad talisman.
As quoted by London 24, the Portuguese told Spanish publication Marca; “Griezmann is a great striker but is not within our objectives to strengthen the squad for next season. We’re not interested.”
Whether Manchester United will decide to pick up where the west Londoners have left off remains to be seen.