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Man Utd Told What They Must do to Complete Transfer of £40m Rated Midfielder

Saul Niguez Manchester United back on United radar, Saul Niguez to Manchester United in the summer

Manchester United are looking to sign a central midfielder this summer and the likes of Eduardo CamavingaRuben NevesDeclan Rice and Leon Goretzka have all been linked to the club. But, the most prominent name that keeps popping up, again and again, is of Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez.

Premier League giants Liverpool were heavily linked with the Spanish midfielder but in a surprising turn of events, the Red Devils have emerged as the front runners for his signature. United are keen to add a midfielder who can act as the midfield pivot and Saul seems to be their chief target.

Saul Niguez, Atletico Madrid, Manchester United
Image Obtained via EuroSport.com

Saul Niguez is one of the best central midfielders at the moment, a perfect box-to-box midfielder. The Spaniard has excellent tackling abilities and high aerial threat as well as exceptional abilities while going forward. Last season, he managed to win 57 tackles and 63 aerial duels in 33 LaLiga games. These stats are better than most midfielders in the United squad.

As the Red Devils prepare themselves for the move, they have received surprising help from the most unlikely source, the player’s current manager Diego Simeone. The Rojiblancos manager recently informed what must be done to convince Saul to make a move, a piece of essential advice to sign the player.

Simeone stated that Saul was looking for a new challenge and wants to play for a team where he will be given a central role to dictate the midfield area. Talking to Spanish publication Diario AS (via The Mirror), the Argentinian said:

“Last season he (Saul) spoke with the club, with us about his needs and what he spoke about was the option of having a position on the pitch where he feels more important,”

“And I consider that Saul became Saul by playing everywhere, but he or many of those around him see it as something negative.”

The Atletico Madrid manager further stated that Saul has the ability to play different positions  and this has prevented him from starting exclusively as a central midfielder, which is the position he wants to play. He told Diario AS:

“He (Saul) is very important for Atletico because he can play as a full-back, right-wing, midfielder. He gives us a lot of options to be able to count on him.”

“He is a player who, in that version and playing how the coach needs him to, performs very well.”

Despite interest from Liverpool, Manchester United seem to be leading the race to sign Saul at the moment. Moreover, with Simeone’s recent disclosure, United could be the preferred place for the Spanish midfielder. Ole is preparing to field a 4-3-3 formation next season, and it would mean playing a single pivot in midfield. This has further increased his need to sign a new player for the role, preferably someone with experience and ability.

If Ole could promise Saul the starting position he desires, then he could certainly be interested in a move to Old Trafford. The 26-year-old has an outrageous £125m release clause, but the Manchester club could get the player for around £35m to £40m.

Earlier, another report from the Mirror claimed that Atletico Madrid had allowed representatives of Saul to negotiate a move with interested teams. The report states that Saul’s representatives have flown over to the UK to finalize a transfer with Liverpool and Manchester United for the player.

Saul is a talented midfielder, no doubt, and his versatility is an added benefit. Despite being a great box-to-box midfielder, he can play as a right-winger or full-back. Ironically, these are the positions that United are reinforcing this summer. Though United have already signed Sancho for the right-wing, Saul would further add to the attacking options. Also, if Trippier’s move happens to break down, Saul could always fit into the role of a right-back whenever needed.

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However, as stated above, Saul exclusively wants to start as a central midfielder where he has the freedom to dictate play. This is also the position where he plays best, and where Ole should play him if the transfer goes through. Fortunately, for the player, things could go in his favour if he moves to Old Trafford, for several reasons.

Ole’s new 4-3-3 formation sees a shift from a two-man pivot in midfield to a single pivot role, and Saul would be perfect for the role. He can not only dictate play from there as he wishes to do but also get a secured spot as the first choice central midfielder. Moreover, Saul’s stats clearly place him above Fred and McTominay, who were the first choices for the double pivot last season.

Stay tuned to AD for more Manchester United transfer updates.

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