Friday 2 June 2017 15:08, UK
Does Atletico Madrid's transfer ban mean a potential domino effect in the transfer window? Sky Sports investigates...
Atletico have had their appeal against their transfer ban rejected by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), meaning the 2014 La Liga champions will be unable to sign any new players until January 2018.
In light of the ban, Sky Sports News HQ understands Manchester United have cooled their interest in signing Atletico's Antoine Griezmann. Sources told Sky Sports News HQ on Thursday that United are now prioritising an out-and-out striker rather than a move for the France international.
Griezmann seemingly pledged his allegiance to Atletico by posting on Twitter: "Now more than ever #Atleti #All together." on Thursday.
So, if Griezmann does remain at Atletico, does this change how some of the Premier League's top clubs will do their business in this summer's transfer window? Sky Sports looks at how Griezmann staying at Atletico Madrid can affect the transfer window.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic to stay at Man Utd?
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho may find the solution to his striker problems for next season in his own squad now the club have cooled their interest in Griezmann.
Ibrahimovic scored 17 goals in 28 Premier League in the 2016/17 season before the Swede tore his anterior and posterior cruciate ligament, which could see him sidelined for as long as a year.
Yet successful surgery on his knee and Ibrahimovic's injury updates on Instagram seem to suggest his return may be far sooner than anticipated.
The 35-year-old is out of contract at Old Trafford this summer, but Mourinho may now be prepared to change his mind and keep hold of the striker if his injury return is sooner than expected.
However, Ibrahimovic's agent Mino Raiola has told Sky in Italy there are already many offers for the striker. So, could Zlatan be on his way out the club even if United wished to retain him?
No Atletico move for Diego Costa
Costa told South American broadcaster DIRECTVSports the only club he would leave Chelsea for is his old side Atletico Madrid. And due to Los Colchoneros' ban and Griezmann seemingly remaining in Madrid, any potential deal looks to be off.
So, with Costa likely to continue at Chelsea, what does the future hold for backup striker Michy Batshuayi? The Belgian forward is reportedly set to leave the club, and could face another season on the bench behind Costa, who scored 20 Premier League goals last term, should he remain with the champions.
Where does Alexandre Lacazette go now?
Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has admitted the club's summer transfer plans have been thrown up in the air after Atletico Madrid lost their appeal as the club expected to sell Lacazette to the Spanish outfit.
Not only does the transfer affect Atletico and Lyon's transfer plans, but potentially also Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal.
Mourinho's apparent desire for a No 9 striker, with Griezmann now off the list, means United may join the race with the Gunners and Klopp's Liverpool, who both are reportedly interested in signing a player in that position this summer.
Romelu Lukaku to Chelsea unlikely
The domino effect of Griezmann not joining United and Costa not going to Atletico means the chances of Lukaku returning to his old club is unlikely. The 23-year-old has not been approached by the Blues, according to his agent Mino Raiola, who says Everton have promised Lukaku he can leave the Merseyside club.
But again, could United now enter the fold as they pursue an out-and-out striker? The Belgium international has the same agent as Raiola, who has United players Ibrahimovic, Paul Pogba and Henrikh Mkhitaryan as his clients.
Everton's Sandro Ramirez hopes boosted
Atletico Madrid's transfer ban, and weakened desire to purchase a forward should Griezmann stay, may boost Everton's chances of signing Malaga forward Sandro.
With Lukaku potentially leaving the club, and Atletico now out of the race to sign the striker, the 21-year-old's appealing release clause, reported to be just over £5m, may encourage Everton to get the deal over the line now that there is less competition for his signature.
