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Why Man Utd could land Saul to replace Pogba this summer and Atletico can't stop it
MANCHESTER UNITED could sign transfer target Saul Niguez this summer as a replacement for Paul Pogba, and it may be that Atletico Madrid can do nothing about it.
Man Utd: Pundit discusses Saul Niguez transfer in 2019
Manchester United have been given a major transfer boost, as it’s been revealed that Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul has a release clause in his contract.
A huge £135m bid for the Spaniard would force Atletico’s hand, and they’d have to allow the club to speak to the player.
Assuming Saul wants to join United, the transfer would be completed without Atletico having a say in the deal.
United are reportedly looking for a replacement for want-away star Paul Pogba, and Saul could be the exact type of player that Solskjaer is looking for.
He’s always involved in transfer speculation and he would be a superb signing for Manchester United
Juventus are currently preparing a £120m bid for Pogba. If the deal were to be accepted, it could pave the way for a like-for-like transfer switch for Saul.
Atletico are resistant to letting the Spain international leave this summer, after they sold Rodri to Manchester City earlier this week.
They’re also under no obligation to sell him, as he signed a mega nine-year deal at the Wanda Metropolitano in 2017.
But, it’s looking unlikely that Saul will be leaving Atletico this summer, claimed Spanish football expert Dermot Corrignan.
“I think it’s really, really unlikely at this stage,” he told Sky Sports’ Transfer Talk podcast.
“With Atletico you can never say never but I was speaking to somebody very close to Saul yesterday who just told me there’s nothing happening.
“He’s always involved in transfer speculation and he would be a superb signing for Manchester United.
“He’s a great player and I can see him fitting in really, really well at United.
“Whether Pogba goes or not I think he would be a fantastic signing for United.
“But I was told there’s no chance, he’s going to stay Atletico. Atletico have no intention of letting him go.”
If United don’t choose to make an approach for Saul, they could still find their Pogba replacement in Bruno Fernandes.
Fernandes has been heavily linked with United, and it’s believed he’s close to finalising a deal at Old Trafford.
His agent arrived in England this week to cross the t’s and do the i’s, but the clubs still haven’t agreed on a fee.
Sporting Lisbon’s rivals, Benfica, recently agreed a £113m with Atletico for starlet Joao Felix, so they’ll have plenty of money to spend this summer.
It’s believed that Sporting are keen to get as much money out of United as possible to make sure they can still compete with the new financial powerhouse in their league.