Paul Merson believes Arsenal should rival Manchester United for Atletico Madrid star Antoine Griezmann.
United are thought to be preparing a mega-money offer for the France international this summer, with Arsenal also reportedly monitoring his situation at the Vicente Calderon.
It’s believed Griezmann, who has scored 13 goals in 26 appearances in all competitions so far this season, has a £86 million release clause in his current Atletico contract and money would be made available to the likes of Arsenal and United to make a move for his services this summer.
United are eager to land Griezmann, but former Gunner Merson insists the Gunners must battle their Premier League rivals for his signature to add more world class talent to their existing squad.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Merson said:
“They pay top dollar those Arsenal fans.
“When you’re paying that kind of money you have to be watching world class footballers at the club.
“You can’t just have two – you should have five and six in my opinion.
“With Griezmann, people go ‘they’ve [Arsenal] got that kind of player’. They haven’t. They’ve got two of them but you could do with another one.”
No one would deny Griezmann’s ability and if he is to leave Atletico Madrid at the end of the season, then Arsenal would be stupid not to register their interest in him as he would be a dynamic signing for the club.
