Antoine Griezmann Says Weather Could Stop Him Signing For Manchester United

Antoine Griezmann
Antoine Griezmann at El Madrigal stadium, Villarreal, December 12, 2016. Griezmann says the English weather puts him off a move to the Premier League. David Ramos/Getty

Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann has suggested weather conditions in England could prevent him completing a transfer to the Premier League.

The Frenchman, who is believed to be a target for Jose Mourinho's Manchester United, has impressed in La Liga over the past eight years, first with Real Sociedad and then Atletico.

Griezmann insists he is content playing under Diego Simeone at Atletico but says he cannot predict what will happen at the end of the season.

"With Real Sociedad, I felt I needed to leave," the 25-year-old told French radio station RMC Sport. "For now, I don't have this need or that desire. We don't know how the season will end."

But Griezmann is uncertain about where he could go should he leave Atletico at the end of the season. "In Spain, there is Barca and Real Madrid," he said. "Barca have the front three (of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar). Madrid is impossible because of my club.

"Germany, it's not a championship that attracts me. France, not for the moment.

"And England, there are many doubts about my private life. There is rain, bad weather — I need to be happy outside."

Griezmann helped guide France to the Euro 2016 final, where it lost to Portugal, and was also on the losing team in the Champions League final last season.

A transfer away from the Vicente Calderon stadium is expected to require a world-record breaking fee, after Manchester United set the record last year when signing Paul Pogba for £89 million ($111 million).

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