Manchester United transfer news: Griezmann deal off, Mario-Mkhitaryan swap deal in play and more - 18th December 2017

Griezmann holds talks with Barcelona

Manchester United look set to lose out on long-standing transfer target Antoine Griezmann after the French striker's entourage held a prolonged discussion with Barcelona earlier this week, reports France Football.

Griezmann is itching to quit Atletico Madrid and has been given the permission by the club's board and manager Diego Simeone.

United looked certain to sign the Frenchman last summer, however, Atletico's transfer ban changed everything.

Since then, Griezmann has followed United's season in the Premier League and has his doubts over immediate success following Manchester City's recent form and Pep Guardiola's project at the Etihad.

That has given Barcelona a clear path ahead to sign Griezmann in a £100m deal and France Football reckons Barca are pushing to sign him in January itself and not wait for the next summer.

Mkhitaryan forced out of Old Trafford

Mkhitaryan has failed to make it to United's squad in recent weeks

Henrikh Mkhitaryan's Manchester United career looks set to end in January as Inter Milan are keen to sign the Armenian playmaker, according to Daily Record.

As per the reports, Mkhitaryan and Jose Mourinho had a heated argument following the game against Brighton on 25th November where Mourinho criticized the midfielder for his lack of effort--- comments that Mkhitaryan did not take kindly to.

Since then, Mourinho has kept Mkhitaryan out of his matchday squads and has asked the board to seek a replacement with Inter's Joao Mario his preferred target.

Inter Milan also seem ready to offload Man United target Joao Mario, so this swap deal sounds like a win-win deal for everyone if the two clubs could agree to a favourable transfer fee.

£35m bid readied for Malcom

Malcom will be available for United's Champions League campaign if he is signed

Jose Mourinho has identified the perfect winger to solve Manchester United's attacking issues and has asked the club to sign emerging Bordeaux star Malcom, according to Don Balon.

United's current wing options are Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford who are right-footed and prefer to play from the left wing, however, Malcom is a left-footed winger and is comfortable on either wing.

Malcom, 20 has enjoyed a successful season in Ligue 1 contributing 7 goals and 4 assists in 16 games this season. Rumour has it that anything between £26-35m will be enough for Man United to sign the Brazilian sensation.

Mourinho is convinced that despite his young age, Malcom is ready to play for Manchester United and improve the team's play going forward.

Another reason for signing Malcom is his availability in the Champions League which would make United a contender to win the prized European trophy.