Griezmann: I do not want to leave Atleti

Cape Town - Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann has issued a statement over his much debated future with the Spanish Primera League side.

Manchester United have been strongly linked with an end of season move for the France international, with Jose Mourinho short-listing the 26-year-old as the marquee signing to bring the Red Devils back to the upper echelons of European football.

According to reports in the British media, Mourinho has been given the green-light to sanction an £86 million move, which will trigger the former Real Sociedad forward's release clause.

Nonetheless, the transfer will depend on Griezmann's willingness to arrive at Old Trafford, which looks unlikely after his latest comments.

"I do not want to leave Atletico (whether for) Paris, China, USA, Russia or elsewhere," he told Telefoot.

"My future? I only care about the field, I feel good in Madrid, why should I change that?"

Griezmann has scored 79 goals in 147 games for Diego Simeone's side since making a £24 million move from La Real in 2014.

Meanwhile United were belived to be closing in on Griezmann with sources close to the Frenchman believing a mega-money deal is on the verge of completion.

According to a Manchester Evening News report, Jose Mourinho is close to capturing his top transfer target in a £86 million deal with Griezmann the most coveted player in Europe.