Atletico Madrid respond to Manchester United interest in Saul Niguez

Manchester United will have to break the club’s transfer record to bring in Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez.

According to the Spanish publication Marca (h/t Metro), the Spanish giants are refusing to budge on the player’s £130million release clause.

United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sees the 25-year-old as the perfect foil to January signing Bruno Fernandes in midfield. An engine in the middle of the park, Niguez will supplement Fernandes’ attacking instincts to bring more balance to our midfield.

The chase for Niguez will intensify if Paul Pogba leaves the club in the summer. The Frenchman’s future is currently up in the air. Having suffered from a myriad of injuries, he has not played for United since last December.

With the coronavirus crisis having an adverse effect on the finances of a number of clubs, Atletico’s huge asking fee makes a deal unlikely. Especially so given that the player was available for half the price last summer and yet found no suitors. (h/t Metro)

However, United could sign the player for less if Atletico fail to qualify for the Champions League. The Spaniards are currently outside the top four with the future of the tournament currently uncertain.

They will stand to miss out on Europe’s premier competition if the current top four make the cut if the season is ended early.

Such a decision will further affect the club’s financial position forcing them to cash in on the player. If such a situation does come to pass, Solskjaer’s assertion of taking advantage of the transfer market will be vindicated.

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Niguez came through the youth system at Atletico after switching over from arch-rivals Real Madrid in 2008. He signed a nine-year extension in 2017 and has six years left on his contract.

If it comes to pass, he will arrive at United as a fan favourite given his heroics against Liverpool this season.