Atletico Madrid Set to Battle Tottenham for Antoine Griezmann

Atletico Madrid are ready to compete with Tottenham for the services of highly-rated French international Antoine Griezmann, reports in Spain claim.

Even though the La Liga winners have already completed the signing of Mario Mandzukic from Bayern Munich they are still on the market for another forward – as they have seen both Diego Costa and David Villa depart the club.

Having recently been linked with Alvaro Negredo and Romelu Lukaku, Spanish newspaper AS reports Griezmann is now their dream and main target – as the City star will be on the sidelines for three months due to an injury while Atletico boss Diego Simeone has doubts on the Chelsea youngster.

Nevertheless, AS reports negotiations to secure Griezmann will not be easy as Real Sociedad insist conditions for his £25m release clause are met while Tottenham will also be trying to secure his services.

Spurs are thought to have been interested in the 23-year-old since last summer after Gareth Bale joined Real Madrid. AS claims they are still keen on him as last season after failing to fill the gap left by their Welsh hero on the left-flank.

Even though Griezmann still has two years left on his contract at the La Liga side he has been strongly linked with a move away this summer after an excellent campaign, scoring 16 goals in the domestic league and replicating the same form with the French squad during the World Cup.

The player has attracted interest from Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool as well Ligue 1 Giants Monaco and Paris Saint Germain in the last year but it seems it is now a straight duel between Atletico and Tottenham.

Spurs have only signed Ben Davies and Michel Vorm from Swansea this summer but Mauricio Pochettino recently revealed he was not expecting a busy summer.

"I'm very pleased with our squad and we don't expect many changes for the season. It's possible we may still add some players but [there will] not be many changes,"