English Premier League squad Chelsea FC is reportedly set to prepare an £86 million bid for Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann next summer.
The Daily Express reported that the Blues are actually prepared to go over the £86 million release clause of the 25-year-old France international as head coach Antonio Conte had asked the club's "power brokers to sanction a world-record bid" for Griezmann at the end of the season.
Conte is also aiming to fend off the challenge of Manchester United, who are also reportedly interested in signing the French striker, for Griezmann's signature.
The current world transfer record was set by United last month after it bought Griezmann's compatriot, Paul Pogba, from Italian Serie A team Juventus for a fee of £89.3 million. It broke the former record set by Real Madrid when the team acquired Wales winger Gareth Bale from Tottenham Hotspur in 2013 for £85.3 million.
Griezmann has become one of the most sought-after goalscorers today after leading Los Colchoneros in scoring in the past two seasons, scoring 25 goals in 53 appearances in all competitions in 2014-2015 while netting 32 in 54 games last season. He is also the leading scorer of the recent UEFA European Championship.
Caught Offside indicated that the Pensioners could also add former Atleti striker Diego Costa in the package to help sweeten the deal and make sure they won't be overtaken by the Red Devils in the race for Griezmann.
The La Liga giants were rumored to be pursuing Costa all throughout the summer, but Conte was not yet ready to sell him as the Spaniard is a key part of his plans at the Stamford Bridge this season.
However, it should be noted that Atleti, together with Real Madrid, is currently on a two-window transfer ban from FIFA after breaching the governing body's rules on transferring foreign players under the age of 18.
It means that both Spanish capital city clubs will not be able to sign new players until 2018 as the restriction is set in January 2017 and the summer of the same year.
If the ban will not be lifted, then Chelsea and United might have to wait until the winter window of 2018 to finally submit an offer for Griezmann.