Why Saul Niguez would be a brilliant signing for Manchester United

According to a report from Football Espana, Atletico Madrid’s Saul Niguez is one of six players listed as being wanted by Manchester United.

Saul Niguez, 24, is one of the pillars of the current Atletico Madrid team and he has won five trophies with the club. The Spanish midfielder signed an eight-year contract before the start of the 2018-19 season, but he has a €150m release clause in his deal.

While Manchester United have been focusing on signing young, homegrown players who can help build the future at the club, there is a recognition that they may need to bring in some more experienced players as well as foreign talents – possibly in January – to ensure that the team’s form doesn’t nosedive much. That being said, should the Red Devils trigger Saul Niguez’s release clause?

Manchester United haven’t been afraid to splash the cash, having broken the transfer record for a defender by signing Harry Maguire from Leicester City for £80million in the summer.

They also spent £50million on Aaron Wan-Bissaka to reinforce their right-back position. And both Maguire and Wan-Bissaka have slotted seamlessly into Ole Gunner Solskjaer’s team, improving the defence that had conceded a woeful 55 goals in the Premier League last season.

Solskjaer certainly cannot carry on for the rest of 2019/20 with the likes of Nemanja Matic, Fred, Andreas Pereira and Scott McTominay his key players alongside Paul Pogba if he is to get the club back into the top four.

The midfield area needs heavy investment after the Red Devils decided not to replace Ander Herrera and Marouane Fellaini over the summer.

Pogba’s future at Old Trafford still remains uncertain. If United decide to cash in on Pogba in 2020 they will certainly be able to afford Saul Niguez.

Saul is among the finest midfielders in Europe and has been an integral player for Atletico Madrid. He has made close to 260 appearances for Diego Simeone’s side, scoring 34 goals and providing 18 assists. This season, the 24-year-old has featured in every single match for Atletico.

The Spanish international is a fine all-rounder in the middle of the park, more than capable of breaking up opposition’s play and initiating counter-attacks for his team. He has been drilled defensively by Simeone over the past few years, so he understands the responsibility of putting in a shift.

The 24-year-old has an excellent passing range, vision and energy, whilst possessing a wand of a left foot.

More Manchester United News

Saul is a central midfielder by trade, but he can also operate on either wing. He’ll be an upgrade over Fred, who has proven to be a disastrous signing for United. Also being a left-footed player, the Elche-born star would give the Red Devils’ midfield a natural balance.

Verdict

Saul is a really top-class performer, and if United manage to bring him in the summer of 2020, it would have to be considered as excellent business for the Premier League giants.