Like Mulder and Scully in the X Files, it seemed it would be just a matter of time before Manchester United and Antoine Griezmann solidified their relentless flirting by finally getting together in an orgasmic release of transfer satisfaction.
But alas, it has emerged that one of football’s great potential romances looks doomed before it could even really begin. Spanish paper Marca reports that the Red Devils have ended their pursuit of the Atletico Madrid forward.

As always with these things, it’s because there is “someone else” on the scene. And that someone is Barcelona, who have made Griezmann one of their top transfer targets.

Up against such stiff competition, United have resolved not to get involved in a “bidding war” for the Frenchman, with Jose Mourinho allegedly “clearing the way” for Barca to sign the 26-year-old after deciding he was never really “convinced” by Griezmann in the first place.

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To be fair the X Files was rubbish after Mulder and Scully eventually did get it on, so maybe this is for the best.

But where does it leave Philippe Coutinho? The Express says the Liverpool playmaker is still hoping to seal a big-money transfer to the Nou Camp next month, although Barca could look elsewhere if the Reds continue to “haggle over the price”.

Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu has reportedly met Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group to thrash out a deal, but is in “no rush” to do so. Unlike Coutinho, who is likely to burst into tears again if he doesn’t get his dream move in January.

Chelsea get Carrasco boost

Another man set to leave Atletico Madrid is the Belgian midfielder Yannick Carrasco. The Sun says the Belgian will be allowed to depart the Spanish capital next month – news that will be music to the ears of Antonio Conte.

The Chelsea manager failed with an attempt to sign Carrasco in the summer but is now set to make a renewed bid as the Italian aims to add “depth and quality” to his Blues squad. He will, however, face competition from fellow Carrasco fans Bayern Munich.

At the other end of the Premier League table, West Ham manager David Moyes is desperately seeking ways to avoid a second successive relegation that would essentially end his top-flight career. And the way he has chosen is Alfie Mawson.

ESPN “sources” says the Hammers have made the Swansea centre-back their “top target” in the transfer window and are prepared to pay a fee “in excess of £20m plus add-ons” for the 23-year-old ex-Barnsley man.

Elsewhere, Paris Saint-Germain are “monitoring” Marouane Fellaini’s contract situation at Man Utd ahead of a potential summer swoop (Mirror), Crystal Palace, Everton and Burnley are tracking Angers’ 24-year-old Cameroon striker Karl Toko Ekambi (France Football) and former England boss Fabio Capello will leave Chinese Super League side Jiangsu Suning in 2018 (Goal). Just in time to return to the Three Lions hotseat in time for the World Cup?