Transfer News: Chelsea keen to take Manchester United target Saul Niguez on loan
According to The Telegraph, European champions Chelsea are keen to make a late bid for Manchester United transfer target Saul Niguez.
The Spanish international has been a key part of Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid side for a number of years now. His standing has, however, fallen over the last few months and the Spaniards do not appear to be averse to letting him move on.
United have been long term admirers of the player, having been linked with him since David Moyes’ time at the helm. The Red Devils have already signed Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane this summer. Adding a midfielder in the coming days will cap off a trifecta of world-class transfers. However, Chelsea could stand in the way of a move for Saul.
Thomas Tuchel’s side have started the season well and have won two in two in the Premier League after their UEFA Super Cup triumph. The Blues have made just one big-money signing this summer in the form of Romelu Lukaku.
Adding Saul into the mix will offer them some versatility and quality in the middle of the park. N’Golo Kante remains an automatic starter, alongside the likes of Jorginho and Matero Kovacic, but options are thin beyond the duo. Signing Saul would thus give Chelsea the additional depth and impetus to challenge for the Premier League title.
United also suffer from being too one-dimensional in midfield. Nemanja Matic is not getting younger while Fred and Scott McTominay aren’t the most dynamic. A midfielder appears to be on the agenda given our impending links to Declan Rice.
Sell first, buy later!
However with finances proving to be a constraint, United may be better off making a loan bid for the player themselves. As things stand, Chelsea too will need to sell before they can make their move for Niguez. Atletico are keen to receive £38m for the player but remain open to sending him out on loan.
Whether he will end up at Stamford Bridge will depend a lot on whether the Blues can sell Ross Barkley and Danny Drinkwater among others. With just a week left in the transfer window, it remains to be seen where the Spanish ace will end up.
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Red Devils star Fred came in for criticism for his performance against Southampton last weekend. Whether that has resolved Solskjaer’s steel to bring in another midfielder before the window closes remains to be seen.
