MADRID: Prospects are fading of Manchester United strengthening their attack with France striker Antoine Griezmann.

United have apparently switched transfer spending priorities to a central striker whereas Griezmann, despite his 83 goals for Atletico, prefers to play in ‘the hole’.

United’s change of approach emerged shortly after Atletico had an appeal against their transfer ban rejected by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, a ruling which means they could not sign a replacement this summer if the France striker were sold.

Griezmann has an £87m buyout clause in his Atletico deal, which runs until 2021.

In other transfer news Yaya Toure has extended his stay with Manchester City but Belgian winger Dries Mertens, while conceding that his agent has talked with Chelsea, has insisted he will not be leaving Napoli.

In FRANCE Monaco vice-president Vadim Vasilyev has confirmed striker Radamel Falcao’s contract extension while Nice have denied their coach Lucien Favre permission to talk to Borussia Dortmund about their managerial vacancy followng the sacking of Thomas Tuchel.

** MEXICO defeated the Irish Republic 3-1 in a friendly in New Jersey. First-half goals from Jesus Corona and Raul Jimenez and a third after the break from Carlos Vela wreapped up a decisive victory with the Irish responding through substitute Stephen Gleeson only 13 minutes from time.

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