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Man Utd transfer pursuit of Saul Niguez hinges on one player - with fee for deal disclosed
Manchester United are determined to sign Atletico Madrid star Saul Niguez when the transfer window reopens in January.
Man United & Tottenham target Saul Niguez in action
Manchester United's chances of signing Atletico Madrid star Saul Niguez hinge on the player's team-mate Thomas Lemar, reports say. The Red Devils are keen on signing the Spain international as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer targets a top four finish in the Premier League.
Manchester United boss Solskjaer is keen to sign a midfielder when the transfer window reopens in the New Year.
The Red Devils have been left short in that position ever since the departures of Ander Herrera and Marouane Fellaini over the past year.
Paul Pogba has missed most of the campaign through injury and, while Scott McTominay and Fred have impressed in his absence, United remain short.
And Spanish newspaper AS claim that the club are willing to pay the midfielder's huge £126million buyout clause to bring him to Old Trafford.
That would make him United's most-expensive signing of all time.
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Pogba currently holds that mantle, costing the Red Devils an eyewatering £89m when he touched down from Juventus three years ago.
Harry Maguire is the club's second most-expensive signing, with United forking out £80m to sign him from Leicester.
But any deal for Saul would trump the lot.
However, Atletico are wary of losing the Spain international at such a vital point in the season.
And they'd rather lose Thomas Lemar instead, with Diego Simeone prepared to cut his losses on the France international.
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That means United face a fight to land Saul.
But, if Lemar can't be shifted from the Wanda Metropolitano, then the Red Devils have reason to be optimistic.
Atletico want to raise funds in order to sign a new striker, with Joao Felix, Diego Costa and Alvaro Morata all blowing hot and cold so far.
Meanwhile, La Liga expert Guillem Balague has previously claimed United turned down the chance to sign Saul.
And they weren't the only side to do that, with Everton also passing on the chance to sign the Spain international.
“Saul, finally people have realised the talent that this man has,” Balague told BBC 5 Live Sport.
“This is a man that as an 18-year-old was offered to Everton and they said no.
“As a 20-year-old he was offered to Manchester United and Manchester United said no.”
United are next in action against AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League on Thursday (8pm).
Saul, meanwhile, could feature when Atletico Madrid go up against Lokomotiv Moscow in the Champions League on Wednesday (8pm).