Manchester United are being linked with a move for Spanish midfielder Saul Niguez on loan.
The news was reported by Spanish newspaper AS and The Guardian.
The Guardian report: “Atlético are prepared to let Saúl leave on a season-long loan before the transfer window shuts next Tuesday.”
Chelsea are said to be interested and there is also claimed to be strong interest from Manchester United.
Linked every summer
Saul is linked to United every summer but this time it appears there is a chance a deal could happen.
Instead of being overpriced, Saul on loan seems almost too good to turn down.
Saul has fallen out of favour in central midfield at Atletico and he has had to play out wide on the left.
This would be a chance for United to buy low on the 26-year-old, who has 59 Champions League appearances so far his his career.
Saul is not a typical defensive midfield destroyer as many United fans would want, but he does have combative traits to his game which would benefit the team.
Last season he won 52 tackles for Atletico, the same number Aaron Wan-Bissaka won in the Premier League. Only Fred (55) managed more for United.
Saul made 54 touches in the opponents’ penalty area last season. That was more than Scott McTominay (36) and Fred managed combined (17), who accumulated for 53.
On loan
A preferable move for United may be to invest in a player like Ruben Neves or Yves Bissouma on a permanent deal.
But one of the reasons United have been restricted over making a third major signing has been a lack of funds, due to an inability to sell players.
A loan for Saul seems worth a gamble, and financially do-able for United at this late stage.
There is always the possibility United’s name is just being used, and he could land up elsewhere, so don’t get too carried away.
Reaction
Here is a look at how United supporters have reacted to reports Saul could join on loan…
- Every former Man Utd player to play in MLS after Eric Bailly’s latest move
- Jason Wilcox has just shown why Amorim had to be sacked with pointed praise for Michael Carrick
- Newcastle’s £46m rejected bid proves that Man Utd have completed the best deal of the summer
- Michael Carrick might have provided a hint on Patrick Dorgu plans as transfer priority becomes clear
- Who is Tynan Thompson? Exciting Spurs wonderkid linked with move to Man Utd
- Ruben Amorim’s biggest wonderkid success story is ending brutally as Man Utd pre-season begins
- Dan Gore will hope for better Man Utd pre-season outing vs Wrexham than he had in 2023
- When Man Utd played Wrexham in the European Cup Winners’ Cup
- Is Man Utd vs Wrexham on TV? Michael Carrick’s men kick off pre-season tour ahead of World Cup final
- Man Utd star Lisandro Martinez could now receive ‘rare’ World Cup prize if Argentina beat Spain in final
- Wayne Rooney’s four ‘GOAT’ picks across all sports are Man Utd and England icon’s biggest compliment ever
- Ranking four Marcus Rashford transfer club links after Man Utd and England star’s release clause expired
- Five footballers who played for Man Utd and Wrexham
- Expected Manchester United line-up to face Wrexham in pre-season opener
- I knew Man Utd were right to avoid signing Elliot Anderson, Thomas Tuchel has just affirmed it
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
