Robert Pires has told Antoine Griezmann that he should join Arsenal this summer, as he would have more to learn by joining us over Manchester United.
The French forward has become one of the most wanted players on the market following an amazing three seasons with Atletico Madrid where he has scored a total of 77 goals, as well as earning the European Golden Boot Award at last summer’s European Championships, where he was key in guiding his France international side to the final of the competition.
Manchester United have been heavily linked with his signing this summer, with his relationship with club record signing Paul Pogba only bolstering that speculation, but the player himself has moved to pour water on any prospective move away from Atletico on a number of occasions.
Griezmann is under contract until 2021, having signed a new five-year deal before the Euro 2016 tournament last year, but that contract did include a buy-out clause, which is believed to sit at €100 Million, which currently converts to around £86.2 Million, but will no doubt have changed by the end of the season.
I don’t think there is much chance that the Arsenal we are used to would be willing to shell out such a fee, but with our place in the top four this season having come under huge threat, it wouldn’t be too much of a shock to see the board invest to secure our place in the Champions League spots.
Robert Pires has now told the star that he would be better off making the switch to the Emirates, instead of joining United, as he would have much more to learn from doing so.
He said: ‘I think it is just speculation for now that Griezmann is joining Manchester United, just rumours. Why could we not see him at Arsenal?
‘I think he has a good profile for Arsenal. I think he can learn a lot from [Arsene] Wenger, with [Mesut] Ozil, Alexis [Sanchez], [Santi] Cazorla. Fingers crossed.
‘You have to buy good players for the fans and you have to spend a lot of money. This is the new football.’
Could Arsenal break the mould and make that big-money signing?
Pat J