How Man Utd 'could hijack' Antoine Griezmann transfer to Barcelona

Antoine Griezmann is set to leave Atletico Madrid [Courtesy]

Manchester United could hijack Antoine Griezmann's expected move to Barcelona, according to reports.

Griezmann had been expected to join Barcelona this summer after announcing he was leaving Atletico Madrid.

Antoine Griezmann's last game for Atleti saw him jeered by his own fans as they voiced their displeasure at his imminent departure.

The French World Cup winner posted a video message to fans last week thanking them for their support as he announced his plans to leave the Wanda Metropolitano in the summer.

He was met with whistles and chants of "out, out, out" from visiting fans as they drew 2-2 against Levante in Valencia.

There have also been reports from Spain that the Barcelona dressing room have vetoed his transfer and are set to resist welcoming him to the club.

That could give United the opportunity to step in, with manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer ready to sell striker Romelu Lukaku to help fund the move, according to reports in Spain.

Griezmann's release clause at Atletico Madrid currently stands at €200m (£175m) but will come down to €100m (£87m) at the start of July.

If United meet the current release clause they could steal a march on their rivals.

According to Spanish publication Sport, Griezmann is not liked by Barcelona's players after the way he conducted himself last summer.

The attacker angered them with his documentary labelled "The Decision" in which he announced he had opted to stay put at Atletico Madrid.

There is said to be animosity towards Griezmann from the players for a perceived lack of respect for the club caused by his public snub.

The ill-feeling from the dressing room has seen the players voice their displeasure to President Josep Maria Bartomeu in a bid to stop the move from happening.

Griezmann is also unwanted by a number of fans, who are still unhappy with his conduct last summer.

A poll conducted by Sport saw 67% of voters disapprove of his acquisition out of 50,000.

He received boos and whistles when Atletico Madrid played at the Nou Camp this season and if the move goes through as expected he'll have a tough task to win around not only the fans but also his new team-mates.