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Is Jose Mourinho Planning A French Revolution?

You know how the saying goes you wait for one French star player to move to Old Trafford and then two almost come along at once. Ok that’s not quite how the saying goes but it could very well be the case if Jose Mourinho gets his way over the Summer as he eyes up two big money moves.

The French revolution has not quite gone to plan this season due to the fact that Paul Pogba has failed to live up to the expectations that an £89m price tag brings but if Mourinho can land two of his compatriots in the close season then that could all change.

Firstly it has been no secret that Manchester United have been courting Antoine Griezmann for a while now and with Atletico’s all but apparent exit out of the Champions League after defeat to their cross town rivals Real on Tuesday a move to Old Trafford looks all the more plausible.

It has been a case of always the bridesmaid and never the bride for Griezmann as he has had to make do with two Champions League Runner-up medals as Atletico again lost to Real Madrid back in 2014 and 2016. Add to the fact that their uncertainity over Diego Simeone’s status at the club and it looks as if the cycle could well come to an end at the Vicente Calderon.

The only thing that may well hold back Griezmann completing a move to Manchester is whether or not United can secure a Champions League berth for next season. That said they do have two opportunities in which to do so, failure to spurn will only end up asking more questions of Mourinho.

If you are to believe the figures quoted to acquire his services then it is cost somewhere in the region of £300k a week, then again when you compare that to what Wayne Rooney is currently earning then I guess it can be perceived as good value for money.

Another player that could be deemed good value for money simply because of the potential he has in his locker is that of Monaco’s Kylian Mbappe. The 19 year old has set Ligue 1 and the Champions League alight during this campaign and it comes as no surprise that he is being targeted by the upper ranks of European football.

Whatever Monaco do in terms of trophies, be it a French league title or even a now unlikely Champions League win after their 2-0 defeat to Juventus in the Semi Final first leg, there is every likelihood that this talented young squad is going to get picked apart in the close season.

But Monaco will literally be able to name their price when it comes to the selling the likes of Mbappe who has scored 14 league goals in 25 appearances this season. But it’s the Champions League which has really added the extra noughts to his transfer value.

This Monaco side have made easy work of both Tottenham and Manchester City at differing stages of the competition while brushing aside Borussia Dortmund in the Round of 16 and there is no underestimating the contribution of Mbappe who has scored 5 goals in this seasons edition of the tournament.

Manchester United are reportedly prepared to pay £70m but Monaco want something nearer £100, therefore it could take a bid that even dwarfs the one that landed Paul Pogba nearly 12 months ago. But with this player having the world at his feet what with the talent he possesses then you are not just paying for potential you are paying for the here and now.

The prospect of an attack pairing of Mbappe and Marcus Rashford with Antoine Griezmann in behind would have United fans absolutely pairing should they be able to complete both bits of business – although could you accommodate all three of them together and what about the likes of Wayne Rooney and another Frenchman Anthony Martial for that matter.

There is going have to be evolution and upheaval in the off season for United as the prospect of missing out on the top four is not one that many would have anticipated at the start of the campaign and the longer this continues then the longer they will get left behind.

Vive la French revolution?

 

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