Manchester United’s reported opening bid for Antoine Griezmann is certainly optimistic

The shortest day of the year marks the next stage in 2017's biggest transfer saga.

Manchester United have reportedly made their interest known in Atletico Madrid attacker Antoine Griezmann. The Premier League outfit have been linked with a massive swoop for the French international, who told reporters earlier this year that he constantly asks Paul Pogba about goings on at Old Trafford. United's interest in Griezmann is widely know but The Sun have gone so far as to claim they have opened their negotiations with Atletico by confirming they would be willing to pay £60m for his services. Clip via UEFA.tv With boss Diego Simeone being sought by Inter Milan, Griezmann could get out of Spain while the going is good. Atletico are in the last 16 of the Champions League but another tilt at La Liga looks too far out of reach already. They are currently sixth in the standings, trail city rivals Real by nine points and have already played an extra game. Griezmann has nine goals and six assists in 21 games so far this season. He signed a new contract with Atletico, lasting up until June 2021, ahead of the current campaign. The 25-year-old would be highly sought after and United, were they to secure his services, may have to pay a lot more than £60m. He is certainly a player former United captain Gary Neville would love to have at Old Trafford. https://twitter.com/GNev2/status/811184858328395776 Let the bidding games begin. Catch up with this week's episode of Football Friday Live: