MX23RW : Thursday, March 28 18:06:34| >> :60:23:23:

Report: Antonio Conte given permission to launch £90m Antoine Griezmann bid

Chelsea are reportedly willing to surpass the £89m spent by Manchester United to sign Paul Pogba in their ongoing pursuit of Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann.

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has been given the green light to bring Atletico Madrid striker Antoine Griezmann to Stamford Bridge in a world-record deal, according to a report.

The Blues are expected to go head to head with Premier League rivals Manchester United for the Frenchman's signature when the transfer window reopens for business in the New Year.

Griezmann has an £86m release clause inserted into his contract, which the Red Devils are expected to meet, but Chelsea are also said to be firmly in the race and are willing to go even higher with their bid.

It is claimed by The Express that Conte has permission from owner Roman Abramovich to surpass the £89m United splashed out to land Paul Pogba from Juventus recently - enough to fight off competition from Jose Mourinho who is more reluctant to enter a bidding war.

Griezmann has top-scored for Atletico in each of the last two seasons, while also registering six goals for host nation France at Euro 2016 to collect the Golden Boot award.

The same report suggests that Diego Costa, a long-term target for former side Atletico, may also be used as a makeweight in any deal should they successfully appeal their transfer ban to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

ID:281077: cacheID:281077:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3021:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Nemanja Matic of Chelsea in action during a Pre Season Friendly between Chelsea and Fiorentina at Stamford Bridge on August 5, 2015
Read Next:
Matic: 'I spoke with Conte over Chelsea future'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!