August 24, (THEWILL) –Â As the transfer business enters its final lap with the new football season already underway across Europe, there are still some moves in the offing as two English Premier League clubs are attempting to get Atletico Madrid’s Saul Niguez from La Liga to England.
The midfielder had reportedly been on the brink of leaving the Spanish League champions for as long as the transfer window has been open but has not found the best suitor to facilitate that move all summer.
The most likely destination now could be either of Manchester United and Chelsea, who are vying to be the side that claims Niguez’s signature before the other. However, personal terms will determine and there are indications that any such deal will likely be a loan with both an obligation to buy included in the deal at the end of the loan move.
As THEWILL previously reported, the Catalan side Barcelona had shown an interest for the midfielder with Antoine Griezmann’s name mentioned in a possible swap deal. Yet, Atletico deemed that manner of swap out of the question and Niguez remained put in Madrid.
He began both of Atletico’s matches at the start of their title defense with impressive displays in both and the speculations about leaving the Wanda Metropolitano, from which he had since had a foot out all summer, appeared to have been relegated to the background, until the pair of United and Chelsea showed renewed interest in getting him. It now seems likely, if either of the EPL sides move swiftly, that Niguez may have played his last match in Atletico’s colours.
Chelsea turned up with a late push to get Niguez as the club seeks to cover for eventualities by having replacements that will also encourage competition for places in their squad and keep them ever ahead of the rest. They recently brought back Romelu Lukaku to be the sharp shooter in front and he demonstrated that in his debut against Arsenal on Sunday.
The Red Devils have also had a transfer season to note in the midfield and defensive areas of the squad. They finally tied in Jadon Sancho from Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund and signed Raphael Varane from La Liga’s Real Madrid. However, the draw against Southampton after the five-star demolition of Norwich shows their work still to be done.
United manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, has identified Niguez as the type of midfield player he needs to create possibilities for his front line to convert and give United extra options going forward as a complete threat to any and all defenses.
But, competing against Chelsea for the signature of the Atletico man has its own challenges. From a financial point of view, Atletico could turn it into a contest of who can pay more and end up ramping up the price of the 26-year-old.
Whichever side Saul agrees to sign for, if indeed he leaves the Wanda Metropolitano, the team will be getting a player that grew under the tutelage of Diego Simeone and became a do-it-all, box-to-box midfielder.
He featured 339 times for the Atletico side as his versatility came to the fore in recent years. And because Simeone has played Niguez in centre-back to good results, there are no positions all across the midfield that is foreign to the Spaniard.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
