Chelsea prepare world-record deal for Antoine Griezmann

Chelsea are ready to pay a fee in excess of £90m to beat Manchester United to the services of Antoine Griezmann next summer. The France international is assessing his options after it was known that Diego Simeone could depart Atletico Madrid in 2017.

Griezmann, 25, has previously iterated that he would stay put at Vicente Calderon so long as Diego remains incharge of the club.

However, things looked to have changed in recent days with Simeone likely to head through the exit door due to the lack of big spending at Atleti over the years.

The Express reports that the Blues are willing to spend more than £90m on the Frenchman next summer in a bid to get one over their rivals - Manchester United.

Griezmann currently has a £86m release clause, but a transfer embargo imposed on Atletico Madrid is likely to up the player's price further.

Atleti are restricted from making any signings until January 2018 after they broke rules protecting young under-age players.