Manchester United keen on hijacking £45M Saul Niguez Liverpool deal

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is keen on adding further strength in depth to his Manchester United side this summer transfer window, according to reports, with the Red Devils looking to swoop in ahead of rivals Liverpool to complete the £45 million signing of Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez.
Having finalised deals for goalkeeper Tom Heaton and winger Jadon Sancho, Manchester United are now looking towards Spain to acquire further world-class talent. The transfer of Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane is all but completed, with transfer expert Fabrizio Romano claiming “his move to Manchester United is getting closer and closer” as of this morning (25th July). A centre-back partner for Harry Maguire has been of widespread interest in the United fanbase for some time, yet many would argue Varane’s Madrid rival Saul Niguez could offer just as much to the team.
Embed from Getty ImagesAccording to the Express, Manchester United have emerged as “potential suitors” for Saul. If the Reds were to secure the services of the midfield maestro, this would be beneficial to Atletico, who are looking to be savvy in regard to their finances in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
News emerged in the last week that suggested a potential swap deal was on the cards involving Atletico and Barcelona, which would see Antoine Griezmann return to the Wander Metropolitano and Saul Niguez head to the infamous Camp Nou. Liverpool have also been linked in the wake of such rumours, so it appeared that the race for Saul’s signature would be an intense one over the coming weeks.
However, it is understood that Liverpool may have to let another midfielder go after Georginio Wijnaldum to sign Saul, and it appears that wage demands would be a stumbling block for the Catalonians in a potential pursuit of the man in demand. This leaves the Red Devils in the ‘best placed’ position to complete the deal.
Embed from Getty ImagesManchester United are furtherly pursuing a team-mate of Saul Niguez – that man being Kieran Trippier. With only a year left on his deal, it is of the perspective of United’s negotiating team that Atletico will eventually lower their asking price towards the end of the transfer window for the England international, with the potential risk of losing the right-back for free in 12 months’ time a prominent one.
Although a special talent, many Manchester United supporters would argue that the signing of Saul is not a ‘must’- so to speak. Rennes midfielder Eduardo Camavinga is amongst a whole host of options to bolster the midfield at the Theatre of Dreams. Many would argue that the penny-pinching approach of the Glazer Family ownership could be United’s downfall in the race for the 18-year-old, however, as it makes much more financial sense to land him next year on a free transfer.
With players already through the door, it seems that Manchester United’s summer activity is far from over ahead of the 2021/22 campaign.