Pranav Nair
Atletico Madrid star Saul Niguez keen to depart amidst Manchester United interest
According to The Sun, Manchester United target Saul Niguez is ready to call time on his stint at Spanish champions Atletico Madrid this summer.
The Spanish international came through the ranks at the Wanda Metropolitano. Atletico are ready to sell their star man provided an acceptable offer comes in for him this summer. Niguez for his part has seen his standing go down this past season. With his role in the side diminished, he is keen to seek a new challenge elsewhere.
The season got a whole lot worse for Niguez, who was a surprise omission from Luis Enrique’s Spain squad for the Euros. It is debatable that the underwhelming 2020/21 campaign might have played a role in the Spanish manager’s decision.
According to Spanish publication AS (h/t The Sun), Atletico’s asking price of £40million is not a deal-breaker in United’s efforts to land the 26-year-old. The Red Devils will however face competition from both Liverpool and Manchester City.
Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain are also among the other European giants believed to be keen on the midfielder. Niguez signed a nine-year contract with Atletico in 2017, giving the Spaniards a strong hand if it comes to negotiations. His current contract also contains a massive release clause of €150m.
With a move for Rodrigo de Paul to Atletico all but done, chances of Saul leaving the club looks imminent. Where he will ultimately end up remains to be seen.
He made 41 appearances in all competitions as they won the La Liga title this season. Of his 33 appearances in La Liga, only 22 have come as starts.
Niguez is an upgrade over the likes of Nemanja Matic and Scott McTominay and also offers more than Fred when it comes to being a two-way player. Landing him would considerably improve our midfield and United should do what they can to ensure that happens.
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This is not the first time that we have been linked with the player. The Red Devils kept a keen eye on the Spaniard during David Moyes’ time in charge. Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be.
