Man Utd on Saul Niguez transfer alert after Atletico Madrid reduce fee by £40m

Posted Sunday, December 15, 2019 by Dailystar.co.uk

Manchester United have long been linked with a move for Saul Niguez and Atletico Madrid are prepared to let him leave for a cut-price

Atletico Madrid are willing to offload Saul Niguez for £85m, putting Manchester United and other potential Premier League suitors on alert.

United have long held an interest in the Spanish midfielder. who reportedly has a £125m release clause in his Atletico contract.

He penned a nine-year deal after helping Diego Simeone’s side reach the Champions League semi-finals in 2017, which is one of the longest contracts in football history.

Yet according to the Telegraph, Atletico are now prepared to let Niguez depart the Wanda Metropolitano for £40m less than his buy-out clause, with United considering a move in the January transfer window.

It is believed the Premier League outfit have been attracted by the 25-year-old’s energy on the pitch, which boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is currently lacking with Paul Pogba out injured.

Solskjaer hinted this week that he will bolster his United squad in January, insisting they are “two or three players” short right now.

"We’re looking to strengthen in many positions,” he said.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hinted this week that United will sign "two or three players" in January (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

"If you look at our squad compared to the others, we’re getting there but we still need two or three players to have a squad with enough numbers to rotate throughout a long season, so we’ll see what we sign.”

Niguez has racked up 249 appearances for Atletico after landing his first professional contract at the club back in 2012.

Man Utd on Saul Niguez transfer alert after Atletico Madrid reduce fee by £40m
Niguez has made 249 appearances for Atletico (Image: REUTERS)

He played an integral role in their 2012 and 2018 Europa League triumphs, while also winning the Copa del Rey in 2013.

And with Pogba’s future at Old Trafford up in the air, he could be the perfect winter recruit for Solskjaer.

According to Goal, the Norwegian is ready to let Pogba leave United when the next summer window comes around.

The former Juventus ace was heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid last summer, but a deal failed to materialise after Los Blancos spent £130m of their transfer warchest on Eden Hazard.

Zinedine Zidane is reportedly a huge admirer of his fellow Frenchman, meaning he is expected to come back in for him when the transfer window reopens next month.

Pogba has been out of action since United’s 1-1 draw at home to Arsenal on September 30 with an ankle injury.

And when asked if he is close to a return, Solskjaer said: “No. It's too early yet.

"Yeah, we hope so [that Pogba will play before the end of 2019]. He's working hard to get fit so hopefully we can get him back on the pitch.

"Let's get Paul fit first and back in form and he'll play loads of games. For me he's one of the best players in the world and I'm looking forward to having him back.”