Manchester United are prepared to pursue alternative targets to Antoine Griezmann after reportedly losing confidence in their chase for the highly-coveted Atletico Madrid striker.
According to theIndependent, United are considering moves for Monaco forward Kylian Mbappe and Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski after realising how complicated a matter it would be to prise Griezmann away from Spanish club.
The report claims that Griezmann is now a 'lessened priority' for United as they begin to slowly accept that landing Euro 2016's outstanding player may be a step too far.
Exclusive: Manchester United turn to two new targets as Antoine Griezmann hopes fade | @MiguelDelaney https://t.co/lQ289gbP8t pic.twitter.com/8CicIMDXzE
Jose Mourinho apparently remains keen on signing Griezmann and is not yet prepared to give up on a potential deal being struck, but the understanding is that negotiations would be complicated by the Frenchman's contract and Atletico's unwillingness to part company with their most valuable player.
United have also been led to believe that Griezmann would prefer a move to Atletico's bitter rivals Real Madrid, which would surely be one of the more controversial European football transfers in recent memory.
United are minded not to be drawn into a summer-long saga that may ultimately end up being a wild goose chase and, as such, are determined to make necessary enquiries about alternative targets as Mourinho looks to build a squad capable of challenging for the Premier League title.
Antoine Griezmann has 20+ goals in 4 consecutive seasons in all competitions.
2013/14 = 20 âš½
2014/15 = 25 âš½
2015/16 = 32 âš½
2016/17 = 20 âš½ pic.twitter.com/udCsqKK722
Mbappe has earned plaudits for a series of scintillating displays for Monaco this season, most notably against Manchester City in the Champions League last-16. The prospect of signing the teenager may be bolstered by the fact that United successfully lured Anthony Martial away from the principality club two years ago.
Lewandowski, meanwhile, remains on the Old Trafford radar, despite being settled at Bayern Munich and having recently signed a new contract. With 30 goals in 34 appearances this season, the Polish striker remains one of the very best finishers in the game, but signing him would also be a difficult proposition, even for a club with the extraordinary spending power of United.
Kyliann Mbappe has now scored more goals (16) for Monaco than Anthony Martial (15) did in 27 fewer games.
Supreme talent. â� pic.twitter.com/I4BxMd9PDq